ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the only individual with the authority to question his political activities.
Tripod Times reports that Wike made the assertion on Tuesday night during a live appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time. The former Rivers State Governor fired back at critics within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who have openly opposed his leadership and cross-party strategies.
The Pushback Against APC Governors
The friction stems from Wike’s heavy involvement in the Rainbow Coalition, a political movement he champions to secure President Tinubu’s second-term bid. The initiative has drawn intense criticism from the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), who view the cross-party alliance with suspicion.
Dismissing their disapproval, Wike accused several APC governors of focusing heavily on Abuja’s power plays rather than building grassroots support in their home states.
“I heard some governors say the Rainbow Coalition is to reduce the votes of our President (Tinubu), people who don’t have capacity,” Wike said during the broadcast. “Where were you when we delivered Rivers State for Tinubu in 2023 without a Rainbow Coalition? This Rainbow Coalition will increase Tinubu’s votes. If you don’t know how to do it, come and learn from us. There is nothing in learning.”
He added that true leadership means staying close to the people and resolving political differences at home, rather than blaming others for electoral challenges.
Clarifying His Stance on APC and the 2027 Polls
Wike, who remains a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite serving as a cabinet minister under an APC administration, clarified that his alignment is strictly tied to the president.
Key highlights from his address included:
- No APC Affiliation: Wike explicitly pushed back on speculation regarding his political allegiance. “I said I will support the President from day one. I never told Mr. President I will join APC. Go and ask him,” he declared.
- No Local Interventions: Wike outlined how his supporters should separate federal and local races, noting they will back the APC for President and Senate, but the PDP for the House of Representatives. When it comes to local governor slots, he maintained, “We will tell you who to vote for.”
- Accepting His Fate in 2027: The FCT Minister made it clear that his position remains at the absolute discretion of the commander-in-chief. “I will thank him and leave, but I will remain relevant,” Wike noted regarding potential post-2027 cabinet shuffles.
Standing Firm on the 2023 Choice
Reflecting on his decision to back Tinubu during the 2023 elections—a move that triggered major internal cracks within the PDP—Wike remained entirely unapologetic.
He reiterated that his primary objective is to build an invincible political block to safeguard the current administration’s success, reminding detractors that his unique cross-party coalition answers directly to the presidency and no one else.
