The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the recent defections of governors and top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have vindicated his support for President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Wednesday at the flag-off of the construction of the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway in Abuja, Wike said those who once accused him of working against the PDP are now openly joining the ruling party.
Wike, “I have been watching on daily television and social media, people who said I want to destabilise the party, I am working for the APC. All of them are now in the APC. So, which means if it is true, they should commend me for working for where they are heading. So, I should be commended for doing a good job for them.”
Within 48 hours, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri resigned from the PDP and joined the APC.
Mbah said his decision was in the interest of national development, while Diri defected on Wednesday with 19 Bayelsa lawmakers. Their exit reduces the PDP’s number of governors from 11 in October 2024 to eight as of today.
Wike also praised President Tinubu’s economic leadership, insisting that the President has ensured all states now have enough resources to pay salaries and execute projects.
“Let every state be sincere to their people, and to Nigerians. I was a governor for eight years. Sometimes, every month, the money that comes will not be enough to pay salaries and all other allowances, not to talk about doing projects.
“Today, by the leadership of somebody, by the decisive leadership of somebody who has made it possible for all the states, and the Federal Capital Territory, not to be running around banks again. Rather, banks are now looking for states to say ‘look, don’t throw us away, we are here’,” he said.
The minister described the defections to APC as a “worthwhile” decision, saying governors will no longer leave behind debts for their successors.
“Now, no governor will talk about leaving debts for his successor, unlike what used to happen before. That is the leadership of somebody. And that’s what this country needs for now — visionary leadership, purposeful leadership, that will be able to take decisions. Decisions that people were running away from taking when they had the opportunity,” he added.
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