Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress, saying the move came too late and without any political structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an end-of-year media chat in Port Harcourt, Wike said key political actors including 22 council chairmen and nearly half of the Rivers State House of Assembly had already joined the APC before Fubara.
“As a governor, he has the State Assembly to move with… But in this case, who did he move with?” he asked, insisting there was “no fanfare” or proper procedure followed at Government House when the defection occurred.
Wike argued that chanting loyalty to President Bola Tinubu does not guarantee automatic tickets, while also defending his own open support for the President.
“Shouting ‘on your mandate we shall stand’ does not imply automatic ticket,” he said. He blamed Fubara for failing to sustain the peace deal brokered by the President, accusing him of neglecting communication with the State Assembly leadership.
Wike added that if he ever leaves the PDP, his loyalists across states would follow, saying leadership is measured by the ability to mobilise followers.