State chairmen of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to clarify his political allegiance by joining the party. Wike, who served as Rivers State governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was appointed FCT minister by President Bola Tinubu after the 2023 election. Despite repeatedly declaring support for Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid, Wike has not formally left the PDP, sparking debate within the APC.
The APC chairmen's demand follows renewed debate over Wike's Rainbow Coalition, a political arrangement aimed at supporting Tinubu's presidential bid without necessarily backing APC candidates in other contests. Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal articulated the position of several APC governors, asking Wike to choose between joining the ruling party and maintaining the coalition. Lawal emphasized that Wike's continued PDP membership makes his political role unclear.
Lawal's comments were made on Channels Television's Inside Sources on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. He stated that the message to Wike is clear: "Be on one side. You can't be on two sides. If you're in APC, please come out and support APC." Lawal added that he intends to raise the matter with Tinubu, seeking a clear line on Wike's allegiance.
Several state chapters have echoed the position, with varying intensity. In Imo, APC Publicity Secretary Jones Onwuasoanya said Wike should formally identify with the party if his support for Tinubu is genuine. Onwuasoanya dismissed the Rainbow Coalition as a political force in Imo, stating that the APC is the only viable political platform in the state.
Gombe APC Publicity Secretary Murtala Usman also advised Wike to complete his alignment with the ruling party. Usman warned that the coalition could complicate political calculations in states where APC members are already competing for influence. In Ondo, APC Secretary Alex Kalejaiye objected to a structure that would support Tinubu for President while backing candidates from other parties in legislative and state elections.
The issue has generated competing views within the Benue APC. James Orgunga, an organizing secretary of one faction, praised Wike's support for Tinubu but suggested he should become a formal APC member. In contrast, Daniel Ihomun, a spokesman for another faction, disagreed, stating that Wike should remain in the PDP. In Rivers, Wike's home state, an APC faction led by Emeka Beke supported the position of the Progressive Governors Forum.
Anambra APC chairman Senator Emmanuel Anosike criticized Wike's involvement in the party's affairs, calling it an insult to the integrity and sensibility of the APC and its governors. The APC chairmen's demand has sparked a heated debate within the party, with different factions holding varying views on Wike's role and allegiance.
Key points
- APC state chairmen have urged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to join the party to clarify his political allegiance.
- Wike's continued PDP membership has sparked debate within the APC, with some members welcoming his support for President Bola Tinubu.
- The issue has generated competing views within the APC, with different factions holding varying opinions on Wike's role and allegiance.
