Wike to Politicians: Don’t Rely on APC for 2027 Re-Election
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has taken a sharp, cautionary turn as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, sent a clear message to those banking on federal party affiliation for their 2027 Re-Election. Speaking at a high-profile gathering in Port Harcourt on Sunday, December 28, 2025, Wike dismantled the notion that defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) serves as an automatic ticket to a second term.
His remarks come amidst a wave of political realignments in the state, where various stakeholders have sought new alliances to navigate the deepening rift between the Minister and the current state administration.
Wike, a seasoned strategist known for his iron-clad control over local political structures, emphasized that performance and grassroots loyalty remain the only sustainable currencies in Rivers politics. He warned politicians, particularly those in the state assembly and local government councils that merely “clinging to the center” would not save them from the judgment of the electorate if they fail to deliver on their mandates.
“If you think joining the APC today will give you an automatic return in 2027, you are making a grave mistake,” Wike asserted. He noted that the APC as a party has its own internal mechanisms and loyalists who have been on the ground for years, and they would not simply step aside for “newcomers” looking for a convenient shelter.
The Minister’s stance appears to be a strategic move to maintain his influence over both his supporters in the PDP and his allies within the APC-led federal government. By downplaying the “guarantee” of party affiliation, Wike is reinforcing the idea that the “Wike Structure” is independent of any single party logo.
He reminded the audience that in 2023, he led a movement that transcended party lines to ensure the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, proving that his political capital is rooted in his ability to mobilize the people rather than relying on party supremacy alone.
This warning adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing crisis in Rivers State. As politicians weigh their options for the 2027 Re-Election cycle, many are now forced to reconsider whether a formal defection to the APC is worth the potential backlash from their original constituencies or the cold reception from veteran APC members.
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Wike’s message was blunt: political survival in Rivers is earned through “work and loyalty,” not by “chasing shadows at the federal level.” With the 2027 cycle effectively beginning now, the Minister’s remarks have set the stage for a period of intense scrutiny where performance will be the primary metric for any candidate seeking his endorsement.