Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, does not need his permission to defect to the All Progressives Congress, but warned that joining the ruling party is no guarantee of automatic success in 2027.
Wike spoke during his monthly media live chat at his country home in Port Harcourt on Monday, December 29.
Fubara had formally left the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC in early December after a closed‑door meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
At a subsequent gathering with top officials in Government House, Port Harcourt, he said the move was to offer “full support” to the President ahead of the 2027 elections.
Responding to questions about the defection, Wike downplayed any suggestion that Fubara required his blessing to switch parties, describing the move as a logical outcome of earlier political shifts in the state.
“I cannot say that I have any right to stop somebody from associating with any party or whatever. From what you’ve said, there is nothing left for anybody to say that why you still want to remain is because of the leadership tussle,” he said.
He, however, cautioned that simply aligning with a new platform or slogan does not guarantee a party ticket.
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“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.
“And that’s why I’ve said no, it doesn’t give anybody a ticket. You have to work. You have to earn the ticket for you to present to your people,” Wike added.
The former Rivers governor also revisited past accusations that he worked against the PDP.
“So many governors have left the PDP. I have been accused; so many governors have accused me that I’m working for Bola Tinubu, APC, to be able to destroy the PDP.
“But those same people have also left PDP to go to APC, though it doesn’t surprise me. So, he (Fubara) doesn’t need my clearance. It’s natural. He saw that the House of Assembly members left for APC.
“He saw that all the council chairmen left for APC. It’s natural that the governor will also have to leave for APC,” the minister stated.