An Analysis by Philip Yatai
Abuja, Dec. 13, 2025 (NAN) – The 58th birthday celebration of Mr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), transcended mere festivity to become a stark political declaration. In a gathering that defied traditional party lines, Wike used the occasion to publicly reaffirm a decision that has reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape: his unwavering support for President Ahmed Tinubu.
Addressing a room of political allies from across the spectrum at his Abuja residence, Wike stated unequivocally that he has “no regrets” for openly backing Tinubu since 2022. This stance, he emphasized, has been consistent—a rare feat in Nigeria’s often-mercurial political environment.
“My political decisions were guided by the principles of character and integrity,” Wike asserted, framing his controversial cross-party allegiance not as an act of betrayal, but as one of conviction. He positioned himself as the sole leading figure from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to have openly declared for Tinubu during the 2023 election build-up. His rationale, he explained, was rooted in “equity, fairness and justice,” and a core belief that presidential power should rotate to the Southern region after eight years under the Northern-born President Muhammadu Buhari.
This justification, however, is only one layer of a complex political strategy. Wike’s move is a masterclass in realpolitik, demonstrating how individual political capital can sometimes outweigh party machinery. His claim was substantiated by the electoral results from Rivers State, his political stronghold. “My leadership capacity was demonstrated in Rivers during the elections, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the presidential poll,” he noted. Yet, in a display of split-ticket voting that underscores his localized influence, “the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victories in the National Assembly, governorship, State House of Assembly and local government elections under my watch.” This outcome reveals a voter base responsive to Wike’s direct influence, capable of separating national from local loyalties—a phenomenon with significant implications for future elections.
The composition of the birthday gathering itself was a powerful testament to Wike’s unique position. It was a convergence of forces that would typically be at odds. Serving and former lawmakers from Rivers, local government chairmen, and national figures from both the PDP and APC shared the room. Amb. Desmond Akawor, a former PDP Chairman in Rivers now serving as a coordinator for the pro-Tinubu “Renewed Hope Ambassadors,” encapsulated the paradox, calling Wike the “naked wire” of Rivers politics—a live, exposed source of power that one approaches with caution.
Speakers like Martins Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, pledged unwavering loyalty, stating, “wherever our leader (Wike) goes, we will follow him.” This sentiment highlights the personalistic nature of much Nigerian politics, where the loyalty of a bloc can be tied to a single individual rather than a party platform. The presence of high-ranking PDP officials, including members of its National Caretaker Committee and Board of Trustees, at an event celebrating a minister in an APC administration, signals deep fractures within the opposition and the magnetic, bridge-building force of Wike’s current stature.
Wike acknowledged the “criticism and abuses” his stance has attracted, dismissing them as motivators. His focus, he stated, remains on collaboration “in the interest of the people of Rivers and Nigeria at large.” The event concluded with prayers, but the political message was clear: Nyesom Wike operates on a plane where traditional party boundaries are permeable. His 58th birthday was less a celebration of years passed and more a strategic affirmation of a path chosen—a path that continues to redefine alliances and challenge the very framework of partisan politics in Nigeria. His lack of regret is a statement of confidence, suggesting that in the calculus of power, principle, realignment, and regional interest, he believes he has made the correct sum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the celebration underscored Wike’s role as a central node in a reconfigured political network, whose ultimate impact on Nigeria’s governance and the fate of its major parties is still unfolding. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
FDY/KLM
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Edited by Muhammad Lawal
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