“Tinubu’s Leadership Is Magnetic — Why PDP Governors Are Dumping Their Party For APC, Says Wike”

In what appears to be a sweeping political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has shed light on the ongoing gale of defections rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the moves are driven by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership strength and transformative governance.

According to The Nation and a viral video circulating on social media on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Wike made the revelation during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor, known for his bluntness and political dexterity, said many PDP leaders who once criticized Tinubu are now rushing to identify with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the president’s performance and visible results across the nation.

> “I have been watching on television and social media — people who once accused me of trying to destabilize the PDP are now in the APC. If anything, they should thank me for paving their way,” Wike quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.

He commended President Tinubu’s fiscal discipline and inclusive governance style, noting that for the first time in years, all states now have adequate resources to pay salaries and embark on critical infrastructure projects.

> “Every state now has money, not only to pay workers’ salaries but also to carry out meaningful development projects. No governor will leave behind debts for their successors, unlike what used to happen in the past,” Wike declared confidently.

The FCT Minister pointed to the defections of key PDP governors, including Enugu’s Peter Mbah and Bayelsa’s Douye Diri, as signs of a growing acknowledgment that the Tinubu administration offers stability and progress.

Political watchers say the recent wave of defections has significantly weakened the PDP, reducing its number of governors from 11 in October 2024 to just 8 — a trend analysts describe as a “silent political earthquake.”

Meanwhile, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, lauded Wike’s leadership, describing the new expressway project as a strategic intervention that will ease traffic congestion, boost commerce, and enhance mobility for Abuja residents.

She said Wike’s stewardship has turned the Federal Capital Territory into a “construction powerhouse” and a beacon of the Renewed Hope agenda championed by President Tinubu.

> “The FCT is today a reflection of the President’s commitment to renewal and progress. The pace of infrastructure work is unprecedented,” Mahmoud stated.

With political tides shifting rapidly and PDP’s ranks thinning, analysts believe Wike’s remarks may well be a signal of more defections to come — as Nigeria’s political chessboard continues to reshape itself under Tinubu’s expanding influence.