Wike says the Fubara APC defection does not guarantee electoral victory in 2027 and that the Rivers governor did not need his clearance to switch parties
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said on Monday that the defection of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the All Progressives Congress does not guarantee electoral success in 2027, even though the governor was free to leave the Peoples Democratic Party without seeking his approval.
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Wike made the statement during his monthly media interaction at his country home in Port Harcourt.
The comments followed the defection of Siminalayi Fubara from the PDP to the APC earlier this month after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
After that meeting, the governor said he joined the ruling party to offer full political support to the President ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Responding to questions about the development, Wike said the governor’s decision was expected and consistent with the earlier defection of Rivers lawmakers and local government chairmen.
Nyesom Wike said no politician had the authority to prevent another from choosing a political platform.
“I cannot say that I have any right to stop somebody from associating with any party,” the minister said.
The former Rivers governor warned, however, that party membership alone does not translate into electoral endorsement or popular mandate.
Nyesom Wike said politicians must still earn the trust of voters and party structures.
“The only thing I said is that so many people think that when you sing on your mandate, we stand, that gives you an automatic ticket.
It does not give anybody a ticket. You have to work. You have to earn the ticket for you to present to your people,” he said.
He added that several politicians who once accused him of secretly supporting the APC had themselves defected from the PDP.
“So many governors have left the PDP. Some accused me of working for APC to destroy the PDP, but those same people have also left PDP to go to APC,” he said.
Wike described Fubara’s decision as a natural political progression following earlier shifts within the state.
“He saw that the House of Assembly members left for APC. He saw that the council chairmen left for APC. It is natural that the governor will also leave,” the minister said.
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The comments reflect the deepening political realignment in Rivers State as major actors reposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
