Nigerian Minister Nyesom Wike has forcefully rejected accusations of duplicity in his political maneuvers during the 2023 presidential election, defending his choice to align with President Bola Tinubu’s government over his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Speaking at a monthly media briefing in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory administrator addressed lingering criticism of his pre-election decisions, framing them as principled rather than contradictory.
Wike, a former PDP stalwart, emphasized he had openly opposed the party’s nomination of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate, citing regional power-sharing principles. “I stood for equity, fairness, and justice,” he said, arguing the presidency should rotate to southern Nigeria after eight years under northern Muslim President Muhammadu Buhari. The minister insisted his position had been consistent: “I made it clear I was not going to support Atiku. I never hid, so the issue of being ‘double-faced’ doesn’t arise.”
His rift with the PDP deepened when he declined to participate in campaign activities for Abubakar, instead endorsing Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Wike justified the shift by characterizing Tinubu as the candidate with the “capacity to take Nigeria away from where we were”—a nod to frustration over insecurity, economic instability, and perceived stagnation under previous leadership. He credited his political judgment for Tinubu’s eventual victory, stating the president’s electoral prospects and leadership potential were evident early in the race.
The remarks underscore Nigeria’s complex regional dynamics, where power rotations between the predominantly Muslim north and Christian-majority south remain a recurring flashpoint. Wike, a southern Christian, framed his stance as a defense of institutional equity rather than mere partisan loyalty. Analysts note his defection to the APC camp marked a pivotal realignment, weakening the PDP’s influence in key southern states ahead of the 2023 polls.
While critics accuse Wike of opportunism, his unapologetic defense highlights ongoing debates about credibility and governance in Nigerian politics. His alliance with Tinubu earned him a cabinet role, but questions linger about whether the administration’s policies—including contentious economic reforms—will fulfill his advocacy for national renewal. For now, the minister maintains his choices were rooted in transparency: “We must value people who say what they’ll do and do it.”
