Breaking: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Boldly Declares: “I Remain the Leader of Both PDP and APC in Rivers State
In a defiant and controversial assertion that has sent shockwaves through Rivers State politics, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that he remains the undisputed political leader of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.
Speaking during a recent engagement, Wike asserted his dominance over the political landscape of the oil-rich state, insisting that his influence and control at the grassroots level across local government areas and wards give him unchallenged authority in both major parties.
“I remain the leader of the PDP and APC in Rivers State,” Wike stated emphatically
The declaration comes amid the ongoing power tussle between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC. Despite Fubara’s move, Wike has repeatedly dismissed claims that the governor automatically assumes leadership of the APC in the state.
Wike argued that defection alone does not confer leadership, stressing that real power lies in structures, loyalty of supporters, and control of the political machinery at the ward and local government levels.
“Leadership is not because you are a governor or a minister. You must have something that makes you a leader,” he had said in a previous media chat, while mocking the timing of Fubara’s defection and questioning its impact on the 2027 governorship race.
Background of the Rivers Political Crisis
The rift between Wike and Fubara escalated after the 2023 elections, leading to a prolonged crisis that fractured the PDP in Rivers State. Several lawmakers and political figures loyal to Fubara have since moved to the APC, raising speculations about a potential realignment ahead of future elections.
However, Wike has maintained that he is still very much in the PDP and has no plans to defect. He has positioned himself as a key stakeholder whose support was instrumental in national politics, particularly in the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Some reports even suggest that President Tinubu himself has reportedly described Wike as the leader of both parties in Rivers, urging respect for his influence. This has fueled narratives of a “Renewed Hope Family” where PDP and APC structures in the state have effectively merged under Wike’s overarching control for the benefit of Rivers people.
Reactions and Implications
Wike’s latest claim has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters hail it as a demonstration of his political sagacity and unmatched grassroots mobilization. Critics, however, view it as an overreach, arguing that party leadership conventions typically rest with elected officials or elected party executives.
Political analysts believe the statement is part of Wike’s strategy to consolidate power and send a strong message to Governor Fubara and other players ahead of the 2027 elections. It also underscores Wike’s continued relevance in Rivers politics despite not holding any elective office in the state.
As the political atmosphere in Rivers State continues to heat up, observers are watching closely to see how Governor Fubara and other stakeholders will respond to Wike’s bold assertion.
