2027: Fubara lacks political structure in APC, defection came too late — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) too late and without any political structure capable of strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike said that before Fubara’s exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), about 22 local government chairmen in Rivers State, along with nearly half of the members of the State House of Assembly, had already defected to the APC.

Speaking during an end-of-year media chat in Port Harcourt on Monday, the former Rivers governor mocked Fubara’s defection, arguing that the governor failed to move with key political stakeholders.

“As a governor, he has the State Assembly to move with, he has the council chairmen, the party chairmen and members of the National Assembly to move with. But in this case, who did he move with? These people decided to move on their own,” Wike said.

He also cautioned that public declarations of loyalty to President Bola Tinubu do not automatically translate into electoral tickets.

“Shouting ‘on your mandate we shall stand’ does not imply automatic ticket. It doesn’t mean that,” he said.

Wike dismissed claims that there was celebration at Government House following Fubara’s defection to the APC, stressing that joining a new party must follow due process.

“There is nothing like 001 in Rivers State. When you defect, you go to your ward and register for a new party,” he said, refuting reports that Fubara was issued APC membership number 0001 as the state’s political leader.

He further stated that whenever he chooses to leave the PDP, his supporters across several states would move with him, insisting that leadership is defined by the ability to mobilise followers.

Responding to Fubara’s earlier comment that supporters of President Tinubu should not do so “corner corner,” Wike said his open backing of the President has made him one of the most criticised ministers in the administration.

“Nigerians know that in 2023, I supported the President. I didn’t hide it. If I were doing ‘corner corner,’ Assembly members and National Assembly members would not have gone with me. That is leadership,” he said.

Wike also expressed confidence that the PDP would fail to win the FCT in the next election, citing President Tinubu’s policies and performance.

On the alleged collapse of the peace agreement brokered by President Tinubu in Rivers State, Wike blamed Governor Fubara, accusing him of failing to honour the truce and of being economical with the truth about his relationship with the State Assembly leadership.

“What stops you from calling the Speaker to ask how he is, or calling members of the Assembly to wish them a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year? You don’t have to wait for me to tell you to do that,” Wike said.

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