The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the recent defection of several Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and party leaders to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has vindicated his earlier support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike made the statement on Wednesday during the flag-off of the construction of the main carriageways on the Outer Southern Expressway in Abuja.
The minister, who has faced criticism in the past for allegedly working against the PDP, said those who accused him of sabotaging the opposition party are now defecting to the APC, proving that his actions were justified.
“I have been watching on daily television and social media, people who said I want to destabilise the party, I am working for the APC. All of them are now in the APC. So, which means if it is true, they should commend me for working for where they are heading. So, I should be commended for doing a good job for them,” Wike stated.
In the past 48 hours, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri both resigned from the PDP and joined the APC. Diri’s defection also saw 19 Bayelsa State House of Assembly members cross over to the ruling party, making him the fourth PDP governor to defect ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With the latest defections, the number of PDP governors has dropped from 11 in October 2024 to just eight as of mid-October 2025.
Wike praised President Tinubu’s leadership, noting that his administration’s economic policies have ensured that both federal and state governments now have sufficient funds to pay salaries and execute projects.
“Let every state be sincere to their people and to Nigerians. I was a governor for eight years. I was a governor running around banks to look for money to do projects. Sometimes, every month, the money that comes will not be enough to pay salaries, not to talk about doing projects,” Wike said.
“Today, by the decisive leadership of somebody who has made it possible for all the states and the FCT not to be running around banks again — rather, banks are now looking for states to say, ‘Don’t throw us away, we are here.’”
He added that the Tinubu administration’s fiscal reforms have created a more stable financial environment, enabling states to function effectively without accumulating debts.
“Now, no governor will talk about leaving debts for his successor, unlike what used to happen before. That is the leadership of somebody. And that’s what this country needs for now — visionary and purposeful leadership that will take decisions others were afraid to take,” he said.
Wike, who served as Rivers State Governor from 2015 to 2023, reiterated that his decision to align with President Tinubu’s leadership is “worthwhile,” stressing that good governance and decisive leadership are what Nigeria needs to move forward.
