The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday stated that leaders and governors of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of President Bola Tinubu’s capability.
Wike explained that those who had previously criticised the president are now members of the APC.
He revealed this during the flag-off of the construction of the main carriageways on the Outer Southern Expressway in Abuja.
According to the minister, Tinubu has demonstrated strong leadership and the ability to deliver the dividends of democracy.
Wike said he felt vindicated that the president is a performer, adding that the governors should instead commend him for “doing a good job” by paving the way for them to join the ruling party.
He said, “I have been watching on daily television and social media, people who said I want to destabilize 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 where they are heading. So, I should be commended for doing a good job for them.”
In the last 48 hours, the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, resigned his membership of the PDP and joined the ruling APC, stating that his decision was for the sake of national development under President Tinubu’s leadership.
Similarly, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, also left the party on Wednesday, along with 19 members of the State House of Assembly, making him the fourth PDP governor to defect ahead of the 2027 general elections. This development reduced the number of PDP governors from 11 as of October 2024 to only eight as of now.
The minister noted that the governors no longer had any excuse since the “decisive leadership” of President Tinubu had ensured that every state now has sufficient resources to pay salaries and undertake credible projects and other activities.
Wike said, “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 and all other allowances, not to talk about doing projects.
“Today, by the leadership of somebody, by the decisive leadership of somebody who has made it possible for all the states and the Federal Capital Territory not to be running around banks again. Rather, banks are now looking for states to say, ‘Look, don’t throw us away; we are here.
“Somebody has made that possible; every state now has money, not only to pay salaries, not only to carry out government activities, but also to embark on projects. It was not like that before.”
He described the decision to defect and support the Tinubu-led administration as “worthwhile”, adding that governors will no longer leave debts behind for their successors as was previously the case.
The minister said, “So, if, for that reason, so many people are going to support Mr President, I think it is worthwhile. 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 leadership, purposeful leadership, that will be able to make decisions. Decisions that people were running away from taking when they had the opportunity.”
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a bold initiative aimed at easing traffic congestion, promoting economic activities, and improving mobility for residents across the Federal Capital Territory.
She said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership continually reminds Nigerians that progress is achieved not only through policy but also through tangible transformation in the lives and communities of the people.
Similarly, Mahmoud praised the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for his dedication, foresight, and passion in ensuring that infrastructure development in the FCT remains impactful and focused on the welfare of the people.
According to her, “Under your watch, the FCT has truly become a construction powerhouse and a beacon of national renewal.”
