FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says the PDP will lose the 2026 FCT election, dismisses claims of Fubara’s leadership in Rivers APC

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party will not win the FCT election in 2026.

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Wike made the statement on Monday during his end-of-year media chat in Port Harcourt.

He also faulted Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for describing himself as “001” of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

Fubara recently defected from the PDP to the APC. During his registration, he was assigned membership number 001.

Wike dismissed the claim, saying there was nothing like a statewide “001” position.

“You register in your ward and local government. If you are 001, it is only in your ward,” Wike said.

“There is nothing like registering as 001 in the whole state.”

He also rejected claims that Fubara had become the leader of the APC in Rivers State.

“Who is the leader of APC in Lagos State?” Wike asked, suggesting that leadership was not automatic.

Wike said leadership was earned, not imposed by title or office.

He argued that Fubara’s defection came too late and lacked political structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to Wike, before Fubara left the PDP, about 22 local government chairmen and nearly half of the Rivers State House of Assembly members had already defected to the APC.

“As a governor, you move with structures. In this case, who did he move with?” Wike asked.

He said those who defected earlier did so independently.

Wike added that chanting support slogans did not guarantee automatic party tickets.

“Shouting ‘on your mandate we shall stand’ does not give automatic tickets,” he said.

He also dismissed claims of fanfare at Government House during Fubara’s defection.

He said proper procedures must be followed when joining a political party.

Wike further said that whenever he decides to leave the PDP, his supporters across several states would move with him.

He said the ability to mobilise followers defined leadership.

Responding to Fubara’s comment that support for President Bola Tinubu should not be done “corner by corner,” Wike said he openly backed Tinubu during the 2023 election.

“Nigerians know I supported the President openly. I did not hide it,” he said.

Wike said his open stance explained why many lawmakers aligned with him.

On Rivers State politics, Wike accused Governor Fubara of breaching the peace agreement brokered by President Tinubu.

He said Fubara failed to maintain cordial relations with the leadership of the State Assembly.

“What stops you from calling the Speaker or Assembly members to greet them during the festive season?” Wike asked.

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He said dialogue, not silence, was required to sustain peace in the state.