By Our Correspondent
The political debate surrounding the relationship between Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken another turn following a clarification by Senator Adams Oshiomhole that Wike’s support is for President Bola Tinubu rather than the APC as a political party.
Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the APC and senator representing Edo North, made the clarification while speaking on the political situation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, Wike has consistently made a distinction between supporting President Tinubu and becoming a member of the APC.
The former Rivers State governor has remained outside the APC, despite being one of the prominent political figures supporting Tinubu’s administration and his bid for another term in office.
Oshiomhole said he was not bothered by the difference between Wike’s political position and that of some APC governors, stressing that what matters in the current situation is their shared support for Tinubu.
The senator explained that Wike and the APC governors may have disagreements on party-related matters, but he said both sides are supporting the President.
“I am comfortable with the fact that the two sides are working for the same goal, supporting the President,” Oshiomhole said.
His comments followed recent remarks by Wike in which the FCT minister criticised some APC governors, accusing them of being politically inactive and failing to do enough to strengthen the party.
The comments generated reactions within political circles, with questions being raised about Wike’s relationship with the ruling party and his political position ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike has maintained that his support for Tinubu does not amount to joining the APC. He has also indicated that his political support for the President should not be interpreted as an instruction for members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to abandon their party candidates in governorship and legislative elections.
The distinction has become an important part of the political discussion surrounding Wike, particularly because of his continued influence among politicians and supporters in Rivers State and beyond.
Oshiomhole, however, said he had not heard Wike or the APC governors declare opposition to Tinubu’s expected bid for another term in 2027.
The senator’s remarks have added another layer to the growing political conversation as parties and political actors begin to position themselves ahead of the next general elections.
While Wike remains associated with the PDP, his support for Tinubu has continued to attract attention, especially because of his role as a member of the G5 governors who opposed the PDP’s presidential candidate during the 2023 election.
Since the formation of the current administration, Wike has maintained a working relationship with Tinubu, who appointed him as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The latest comments by Oshiomhole underline the distinction between political party membership and support for an individual presidential candidate.
As the 2027 political season approaches, the positions of Wike, the APC governors and other influential political figures are expected to remain a subject of public discussion as alliances and campaign strategies continue to develop.
