Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and ex-Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his political loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, declaring that he will spearhead Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Rivers State despite being a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking during a media chat on Monday in Abuja, Wike boldly stated:

“I have told you this before… Are you not aware I will lead his campaign in Rivers State? You want me to say no?”

Wike’s renewed declaration deepens the long-running rift between him and the PDP, a party he once helped shape but now openly defies. His support for Tinubu during the 2023 elections after being passed over as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate was a turning point in the PDP’s internal crisis.

Recounting Tinubu’s poor 2023 outing in the FCT, Wike predicted a dramatic turnaround in 2027:

“Are you not aware that he did not get up to 10 per cent here in the FCT? But he will win here. Are you not aware?”

Despite his open alignment with the ruling APC, Wike insisted he remains a PDP stalwart:

“I am still in the PDP. I worked hard for the party. I have not seen anybody who will have the guts to tell me, ‘Wike, you are not a member of the party.’”

His position, however, has drawn sharp criticism from party leaders and stakeholders. Former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido described Wike as a “disaster” and vowed never to attend any PDP meeting until he is expelled:

“Wike is a product of the PDP… But today, he turns around to destroy it.”

PDP NEC member Timothy Osadolor said Wike’s defiance exposes his lack of principle:

“If you claim to belong to a political party but consistently act in ways that favour its opponents, it says a lot about who you are.”

Umar Sani, a former aide to ex-VP Namadi Sambo, accused Wike of deliberately destabilising the party and misleading the public with flawed arguments, especially regarding the legality of party meetings.

“His narrative isn’t grounded in law or party logic it’s pure politics, and it’s hurting the PDP.”

Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, lamented PDP’s failure to discipline Wike:

“Wike’s plan is to keep the PDP dead until 2031 when he hopes to resurrect it as a vehicle for his vice-presidential ambition.”

Despite growing calls for his expulsion, Wike remains defiant openly backing Tinubu’s presidency while refusing to leave the PDP, leaving Nigeria’s main opposition party in a deepening dilemma ahead of the 2027 elections.