"We Will Welcome You To APC Whenever You Decide", Tinubu Tells Wike, Hints at Political Merger

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has thrown open the doors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, signaling a potential formal political realignment that could reshape Nigeria’s partisan landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

During the commissioning ceremony of the Arterial Road N16 and other key infrastructure projects in the Katampe District of Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu heaped praise on Wike, noting his contributions to governance and infrastructure delivery. Though the minister remains a card-carrying member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his increasing proximity to the APC has fueled ongoing political speculation.

A moment of levity from the president underscored the friendly rapport between the two statesmen. Referring to a popular slogan once used in Wike’s past campaigns, Tinubu quipped: “We have somebody—Nyesom Wike—he is not a member of my party (APC), not yet. But the day he changes his mind and registers with the progressives, we will welcome him. Because we will enjoy singing ‘as e dey pain dem, e dey sweet us’.” The crowd erupted in laughter, with Wike himself smiling at the nod to his political past.

Wike’s path since the 2023 general elections has increasingly pointed toward an alliance with Tinubu. Though he did not defect from the PDP after its electoral defeat, he accepted a high-profile ministerial post in the APC-led government. That decision further amplified internal tensions within the opposition party, where loyalty is becoming an ever-fracturing concept.

His defiance during the PDP presidential primaries in 2022 was the first visible crack. After losing the ticket to Atiku Abubakar, Wike opted not to support the party’s nominee, a move that drew fierce criticism from stalwarts like Bode George and Dele Momodu. This rift became even more pronounced as Wike repeatedly aligned himself with Tinubu, whom he now openly supports.

Only last week, Wike publicly declared his intention to lead Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign in Rivers State. “I am a key asset. I will lead President Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Rivers State,” he affirmed during a media interaction, effectively cementing his position as one of the president’s most vocal allies outside the APC fold.

Such declarations have placed the PDP in an increasingly precarious position. Already burdened by the weight of a national loss and internal strife, the party is being forced to confront uncomfortable questions about discipline, unity, and strategic direction.

Wike is not simply drifting away from the PDP; he is challenging its internal processes. Earlier this week, he called for the zoning of the party’s presidential ticket to the South, arguing for equity and regional fairness. Acting under the banner of the “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP,” Wike and his allies also took a swipe at party procedures, insisting that only the National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu, holds the constitutional authority to issue notices for national meetings.

His statements are being seen as both a call for reform and a veiled challenge to the current PDP leadership. Analysts believe Wike is setting the stage for a broader confrontation, one that could determine the soul—and survival—of the party before the next general election cycle.

Meanwhile, within the APC, Tinubu’s embrace of Wike may be strategic. As the 2027 campaign cycle looms on the horizon, expanding the party’s appeal in the South-South, where Wike wields significant influence, could be crucial. Wike’s governance record in Rivers State and his political machinery in the region make him a valuable asset, despite his lingering ties to the opposition.

Both Tinubu and Wike appear to be playing the long game. One is fortifying his base while casting a wider net; the other is hedging bets while increasingly leaning into power structures that no longer align with his party’s flag. Their alliance, though unofficial, is rapidly becoming a defining feature of Nigeria’s post-2023 political narrative.

Whether Wike will officially ditch the PDP for the APC remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that his political compass is now aligned with the presidency, and every public appearance makes that bond harder to ignore. The ruling party, meanwhile, waits patiently—perhaps even eagerly—for the day when political alignment becomes formal affiliation.