The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a jab at some of his former allies within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), mocking them for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) after years of accusing him of disloyalty.
Wike, speaking on Tuesday during the flag-off of a project in Abuja, appeared amused as he reflected on the shifting political loyalties that have recently rocked the PDP.
“Very soon, I will speak to Nigerians,” he said, pausing briefly before adding, “I’ve been watching you daily on television and social media.
“The same people who said I wanted to destabilize the party, that I was working for the APC, all of them are now in APC,” he stated.
The former Rivers State Governor, who has been praised and also criticized for his blunt political style, said recent events had vindicated him.
“So, if it’s true that I was working for APC, they should actually commend me for doing a good job for where they’ve now moved into,” Wike said, drawing laughter from the audience.
“I’ve told people that politics is for mature minds. You have to be very careful,” he added.
His comments come amid a wave of defections that has left the PDP rattled. Barely 24 hours after Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah’s defection to the APC, another major blow hit the opposition party as Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, announced his resignation from the PDP.
Diri’s exit, confirmed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, in a brief Facebook post on Tuesday, came with an added sting–23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly left the party with him.
Though details of the defection remain sketchy, sources close to the development said Diri and the lawmakers are expected to formally declare their move to the ruling APC in the coming days.
Since his appointment as FCT Minister by President Bola Tinubu, Wike has maintained that his focus is on governance, not partisan politics.
Yet, his relationship with the PDP has remained strained, with many in the party accusing him of betrayal, a charge he has repeatedly dismissed.