Wike Should Join APC for Tinubu's Success, Says Imo APC Chairman

The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Austin Onyedebelu, has called on Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to officially join the APC.

Mr Onyedebelu made this statement during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

He mentioned that if Mr Wike truly wants President Bola Tinubu to win re-election in 2027, he should not delay in joining the president’s party.

There is a political disagreement between the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and Mr Wike due to his Rainbow Coalition.

While Mr Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claims that the coalition is a way to support Mr Tinubu’s second term, the PGF sees it as a threat that could weaken the APC in the long run.

Mr Onyedebelu described Mr Wike as a danger to Nigeria’s democracy. He pointed out that one cannot belong to both the PDP and the APC at the same time.

“There is no provision in the Electoral Act that says one can be a member of two political parties at the same time.

“If Wike wants to work for Mr President, he should join his train. You cannot be at the end of two roads and say you are heading east,” he said.

Mr Onyedebelu accused Mr Wike of using the Rainbow Coalition to revive the PDP and fuel his alleged presidential ambitions.

He added that the APC governors have made their stance on the need for a coalition clear. Mr Wike has responded by criticizing APC leaders, including Governor Uzodimma.

Mr Onyedebelu further claimed that Mr Wike’s actions are driven by hidden motives, which only leaders like Mr Uzodimma can understand.

He advised the minister to stop what he called attempts to blackmail APC leaders, especially Governor Uzodimma, saying such actions undermine Nigeria’s democracy.