TINUBU COURTS WIKE TO JOIN APC, TOUTS INFRASTRUCTURE AS FOUNDATION FOR NATIONAL GROWTH
Abuja, Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended an open invitation to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking another strategic political overture by the ruling party to consolidate power across party lines.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Arterial Road N16 to N20 and associated infrastructure in Katampe District on Wednesday, Tinubu acknowledged Wike’s non-membership in the APC but praised the former Rivers State governor’s efforts and alignment with the administration’s agenda.
“We have somebody in Nyesom Wike. He’s not a member of our party not yet,” Tinubu remarked pointedly. “But the day he changes his mind and registers with the progressives, we will welcome him. We’ll sing together: ‘as e dey pain them, e dey sweet us’.”
The president’s remarks come amid ongoing speculation about Wike’s political future. Though serving in an APC-led cabinet, Wike remains a prominent figure in the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), making Tinubu’s comments both politically loaded and symbolic of potential realignments ahead of 2027.
Infrastructure as Proof of Governance
Beyond the political undertones, Tinubu used the occasion to reinforce his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, describing it as a “necessity” rather than a luxury. The president claimed the project in Katampe was a tangible demonstration of his Renewed Hope Agenda, a platform on which he campaigned in 2023.
“Infrastructure is the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration, and economic opportunity,” he stated. “There’s no way industrialization can flourish without good roads.”
He emphasized that his administration is investing not only in roads but also in brainpower (presumably referring to renewable energy), healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure positioning these sectors as critical levers for national development.
Wider Implications
Wike’s presence in Tinubu’s inner circle continues to raise eyebrows within the PDP, where some view his cross-party alignment as undermining opposition unity. Tinubu’s public appeal may intensify tensions within the PDP, especially as the ruling party positions itself for broader dominance in future elections.
Wike, known for his political unpredictability and blunt rhetoric, has yet to publicly respond to Tinubu’s invitation. However, his continued cooperation with the APC-led government including his hands-on approach in the FCT suggests a political trajectory that may no longer align strictly with his party of origin.
While Tinubu’s remarks were veiled in jest, the underlying message was clear: the APC is not just building roads it’s laying the political groundwork for a broader coalition. Whether Wike will cross that bridge remains to be seen, but the strategic courtship signals the president’s ongoing effort to blur partisan lines in pursuit of his long-term political vision.
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TINUBU COURTS WIKE TO JOIN APC, TOUTS INFRASTRUCTURE AS FOUNDATION FOR NATIONAL GROWTH