Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party would crumble if he decides to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
Speaking during his end-of-year media briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, Wike addressed speculations about a possible switch to the ruling APC.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that some of Wike’s supporters in the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, recently left PDP for APC.
However, Wike insisted that he remains committed to the PDP and has no plans to leave the party.
“Today if I say I want to decamp to APC, that will be the end of PDP. You will see leaders of the party in other states who will join me.
“If today I say, gentlemen, look, we have had enough of PDP, watch those who will decamp in Benue; watch those who will decamp in Plateau, in Abia, in Edo,” he said.
“But the mere fact that people have left PDP to APC does not mean I have to leave. No, it is not correct. I am still a member of PDP,” Wike added.
On concerns that Fubara’s defection might give him control of Wike’s political structure in Rivers, the minister reassured his supporters of his continued influence in the state.
He emphasized that his political structure remains intact, adding that Fubara’s move to APC does not automatically make him the state party leader, unlike practices in Lagos and Kano states.
“There are exceptions to the rule. There is nothing like 001 in the state, you register in your ward and not at the state level.
“So, if there is 001, it is in your ward, because every party member registered in his ward,” Wike explained.
He further stressed that beyond holding a gubernatorial position, exceptional qualities are required to command leadership and followership.
“If a governor is moving to another party, he moves with council chairmen, party leaders and members of the state assembly.
“In his case, the people have already left the PDP and joined the APC on their own, as such, defecting to APC doesn’t guarantee him an automatic ticket for second tenure,” Wike concluded.
