The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated that Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is not a member of the party, even as his active campaigning contributed to the APC’s decisive win in the recently concluded FCT area council elections. This stance underscores the APC’s formal position on party membership amid reports of cross-party collaboration.
Wike, a senior figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a former two-term Governor of Rivers State, publicly supported APC candidates during the local government polls. His efforts were credited with helping the APC secure victories in five out of the six area councils in the FCT. Prior to the election, Wike stated his intention to work for candidates who endorse President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a policy framework focusing on economic revitalization, infrastructure projects, and social welfare initiatives.
The APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, addressed the situation in an interview on Arise News. When questioned about the party’s response if Wike, described as non-member, were engaging in activities that could be seen as supporting another party—a potential breach of party discipline—Morka declined to speculate. He directed inquiries to the PDP, noting: “That question is for the PDP. You should direct that question to the PDP as to how they organize their party, how they treat their members, how they handle matters like this in the Peoples Democratic Party. I cannot speculate on a matter that rests exclusively within the party.”
This development highlights the pragmatic alliances often formed in Nigerian politics, where individual politicians may cross party lines based on policy alignment or personal rapport, particularly in subnational elections. The FCT area council elections are significant for local governance and often serve as a barometer for political strength ahead of larger contests.
The APC’s firm denial of Wike’s membership, despite his electoral contribution, reaffirms the party’s emphasis on formal affiliation. It also places scrutiny on the PDP’s internal mechanisms for managing member conduct. As the APC consolidates control in the FCT, the episode may fuel debates about the rigidity of party loyalty versus coalition-building in Nigeria’s multi-party system. Observers note that such cross-party engagements could influence future electoral strategies, though official party structures continue to uphold strict membership criteria.
