Port Harcourt, Nigeria — A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Tonye Cole, has publicly criticized Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike over his unclear political alignment. Cole has challenged Wike to clarify whether he remains with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or has formally joined the ruling APC.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Cole, who was the APC’s 2023 Rivers State governorship candidate, stated that the confusion is “dangerous for democracy.” He pointed out that Wike is still officially a PDP member, yet he wields significant influence within the APC, a situation that confuses the electorate.
Wike, a former Rivers State Governor, openly opposed his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the run-up to the 2023 elections. Since his appointment as FCT Minister by President Bola Tinubu, Wike has publicly endorsed Tinubu’s re-election.
The debate over his political loyalty has been further fueled by the recent local government elections in Rivers State. The APC secured a landslide victory, winning 20 out of 23 councils. The PDP, however, managed to win three councils, including Wike’s political stronghold of Obio/Akpo.
