Wike in the Spotlight: Is the FCT Minister Truly Working for APC

By Achimi Muktar

Amid swirling allegations of anti-party activities and supposed allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has set the record straight. Lere Olayinka insists Wike is not working for APC but is solely dedicated to serving Nigeria.

The controversy has been brewing ever since Wike, a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accepted his appointment as FCT Minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. This move has ruffled feathers within the PDP, with some accusing the ruling APC of orchestrating the ongoing leadership crisis in the opposition party.

"Wike Is Serving Nigeria, Not APC"

In an exclusive interview, Olayinka pushed back against these claims, stating, “Wike is not working for APC. Wike is working for Nigeria. He is working for the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Olayinka argued that critics have failed to grasp the distinction between parliamentary and presidential systems of governance. He noted that, unlike in a parliamentary system, the formation of a cabinet in Nigeria’s presidential system is not confined to members of the ruling party.

A Divided Opposition

Concerns about Wike’s role in the APC-led government have deepened tensions within the PDP. Segun Sowunmi, a PDP stalwart and former spokesman for Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential campaign, accused President Tinubu of meddling in PDP affairs. Sowunmi suggested that appointing Wike as FCT Minister without consulting PDP elders was a deliberate ploy to weaken the opposition.

“If Tinubu wants everything to be okay, he should sack Wike and return him to the PDP. Then, watch the party regain stamina and move forward,” Sowunmi declared.

Adding to the drama, House of Representatives member Ikenga Ugochinyere accused the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) of turning the party into an errand platform for the APC, citing close ties between the NWC and Wike.

Defending Wike’s Appointment

Olayinka dismissed these accusations as baseless. He questioned the logic of labeling Wike’s appointment as anti-party when other opposition figures, such as Atiku’s former aide Daniel Bwala, have also joined Tinubu’s government.

“This is the same way he [Tinubu] gave appointments to people from other parties, even those who once insulted him. What role did Daniel Bwala play in the last election? He was Atiku’s spokesman, funded by Atiku, yet today, he is Tinubu’s special adviser. How is Wike’s case different?” Olayinka asked.

The spokesperson also emphasized that Wike had informed the PDP of his appointment beforehand, and the party raised no objections.

Looking Ahead to 2027

When asked if Wike would support a PDP candidate in the 2027 presidential election, Olayinka remained noncommittal, saying, “When we get to the bridge, we will cross it. Currently, the party doesn’t have a candidate or even an aspirant. This is time for governance, not politics.”

For now, Wike’s focus, according to his aide, remains on his ministerial responsibilities and contributing to national development. However, with tensions simmering within the PDP and speculation rife, all eyes are on Wike as the nation inches closer to its next electoral cycle.

The question remains: can Wike balance his dual roles as a PDP member and a key player in an APC-led government, or will the pressure force a political reckoning