The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would fall apart if he decided to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike made the statement during his end-of-year media interaction held in Port Harcourt on Monday while responding to questions about a possible move to the ruling party.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, several of Wike’s loyalists in the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have recently defected from the PDP to the APC.
Despite this, Wike maintained that he remains firmly in the PDP and has no plans to leave the party.
He argued that his departure would trigger a wave of defections across several states, insisting that many party leaders nationwide would follow him if he chose to leave.
Wike, however, stressed that the exit of others does not compel him to abandon the PDP, reiterating that he is still a committed member of the party.
Addressing concerns about Governor Fubara possibly taking control of his political structure in Rivers State, Wike assured his supporters that his influence in the state remains intact.
He explained that Fubara’s move to the APC does not automatically position him as the party’s leader in Rivers, noting that party leadership structures differ from states like Lagos and Kano.
Wike clarified that party registration is done at the ward level, not statewide, emphasizing that political dominance cannot be claimed simply by holding the governorship.
The minister further stated that leadership requires more than occupying an official position, arguing that personal influence and loyalty are essential.
He downplayed the significance of Fubara’s defection, pointing out that the governor did not move with major political stakeholders such as council chairmen or lawmakers.
According to Wike, many of those who joined the APC in Rivers had already defected independently, adding that Fubara’s switch does not automatically secure him a second-term ticket.