Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, is reportedly preparing to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the 2027 general elections approach.
Sources close to the minister say the expected move is intended to bolster the ruling party’s electoral strength and weaken opposition efforts.
According to an unnamed ally quoted by Vanguard, Wike’s defection and that of his supporters within and beyond Rivers State could be marked by a “big and colourful” event, with the transition scheduled to take place closer to the 2027 election period rather than immediately.
The source suggested that timing the move nearer to the polls is part of a broader strategy to maximise political impact.
Wike was appointed FCT minister in 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, a decision widely seen as political recognition for his critical support of the president during the 2023 general election while still a PDP member.
Vanguard reported that his role in facilitating federal support for states including intervention funds remains part of his influence among political actors.
The source told Vanguard that Wike’s planned entry into the APC would also attract his loyalists both in Rivers and other parts of the country, intending to create a strong collective presence within the ruling party.
“He will end up in the APC with all of us who are his loyalists both in Rivers State and other parts of the country,” the ally said.
Political observers note that Wike’s relationship with the APC has already been evident in recent years, particularly as some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, local government officials and other political actors aligned with him defected from the PDP to the APC before his own reported plans.
Although Wike himself remains a PDP member at present, his public support for President Tinubu’s agenda has blurred partisan lines in several political debates.
Despite these developments, official confirmation from Wike or the APC remains outstanding. APC leadership has previously clarified that Wike is not yet a party member and therefore holds no formal role within its structure, even as some APC local chapters in Rivers state have pledged to follow his directives on the 2027 elections.
Political analysts say that a defection by Wike could carry significant electoral implications, particularly in the key South-South geopolitical zone where he wields influence.
The APC has been navigating internal party dynamics while consolidating support ahead of 2027, and a high-profile addition like Wike could strengthen its reach in regions traditionally dominated by opposition parties.
However, the timing of any formal move will be critical. Wike’s reported strategy to delay his defection until closer to the election cycle suggests a calculated effort to maximise impact while allowing the PDP to further weaken before his transition.
Observers say this timing could affect negotiations within both major parties over alliances and ticket arrangements.
For urban and national political stakeholders, the prospect of Wike joining the APC underlines the shifting landscape of party affiliations and electoral strategies leading into the 2027 polls.
The potential defection underscores ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s political elite as parties seek to strengthen their coalitions and voter outreach ahead of one of the country’s most consequential elections.
Meta description: Nyesom Wike is reportedly planning to defect from the PDP to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, with allies saying a high-profile switch could strengthen the ruling party’s electoral prospects.
