₦airaland Forum

OPINION: The Declining Influence of Wike as Tinubu Secures Defections from PDP Governors

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and one-time influential Governor of Rivers State, now finds himself at a precarious crossroads in Nigeria’s political theatre. Once a commanding force within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike’s political capital has markedly diminished, and the question is whether he has overplayed his hand.

Wike was long seen as the power broker of the PDP, wielding considerable influence through his robust hold over the party's structures. However, as the PDP continues to falter and lose ground nationally, Wike’s bargaining power is waning. Wike has outsmarted himself by doubling down on confrontational politics, alienating key figures within and beyond his party. His once formidable position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration is now being overshadowed by Tinubu’s successful courting of governors across parties into his fold.​

If Tinubu succeeds in consolidating the support of these governors, Wike’s role as a political kingmaker will diminish further. The PDP today is a shadow of its past, marked by internal divisions and promotional disputes. These rifts have only chipped away at Wike's influence, reducing his relevance on the national stage.​

The case of Wike as FCT Minister is emblematic of his fallen political stature. Despite publicly touting significant developmental strides and infrastructural projects within Abuja, the capital city, many contend that his administration has been marred by controversy and governance challenges. His tenure has been marked by public rows with powerful figures within the PDP and even the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). For example, the House of Representatives summoned him for budget defense and criticized his failure to appear, questioning his administrative commitments.
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Wike’s approach has often veered into instability, making him a risk-laden figure for President Tinubu’s government, which is focused on stability and development. His reputation as a political firebrand who has had altercations with party members and APC leaders alike is not conducive to the calm governance environment Tinubu wishes to cultivate. This raises the argument that Wike is more a political baggage than an asset to the current administration.​

In contrast, the achievements touted under his stewardship of the FCT, like road developments and land reforms, are considered replicable by another competent administrator who can manage governance without the distractions of ongoing political tussles or seeking personal political advancement. The capital requires steady, dependable leadership rather than a minister whose focus seems divided between governance and political maneuvering.​

In conclusion, yes, Wike has overplayed his hand. His relevance to Tinubu diminishes daily as the president successfully courts governors and stabilizes his administration. Wike’s bargaining chips, once his firm grip on the PDP, are now reduced as the party struggles to reclaim its former dominance. The time is ripe for a recalibration of political alliances and for this government to do away with Wike, as he is no longer relevant.

Monye, a public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos.

https://leaders.ng/2025/10/14/the-declining-influence-of-wike-as-tinubu-secures-defections-from-pdp-governors/

This is the unique thing about being evil especially in a dirty world like politics. It only comes back to hunt you and it hunts and hurts real good.

Even the one cajoling or coercing the governors to defect is gonna receive his own Karma reward too in due course. No evil goes unpunished. Karma is always a bitch. It does not forgives or forgets

If fubara decamps today, Tinubu will show him the door

Why is the opposition more focused on Wike than an ineffective opposition leader like Atiku and Peter Obi.

The rate of defections shows that they have no chance at all in 2027.

ogugwa1992:
OPINION: The Declining Influence of Wike as Tinubu Secures Defections from PDP Governors


https://leaders.ng/2025/10/14/the-declining-influence-of-wike-as-tinubu-secures-defections-from-pdp-governors/

He was outsmart so fast, he wasn't thinking about this direction

This early morning... looks like wike is giving some people sleepless night ... Aluta continue

Racoon:
This is the unique thing about being evil. It only comes back to hunt you and it hunts and hurts real good.

How’s Wike really getting hurt as against the chances of Atiku and Peter Obi disappearing through thin air?

Wike truly overplayed his hand. He was stepping on too many toes, toes that could influence 2027 elections against Tinubu.. He has made too many enemies.

Lol
Tinubu and Wike fight go too sweet, brutal and deadly.
Like when an Assassin fights a drug lord.

Wike relevance will reduce drastically.

Wike is doing loads of the working... Stop seating in your beer 🍺parlour to be typing what you don't know

WIKE RIGHT NOW..... 2027 loading fast



God bless Nigeria

Rilwayne001:
Why is the opposition more focused on Wike than an ineffective opposition leader like Atiku and Peter Obi..

Shebi you lots have long faced those ones already? You are a political novice. Defection does not and never translate to political feat. It is what is called a phyrric victory.

Yinmu.

This Leaders newspaper seems to be oblivious of many things. Tinubu is a very wise man and he knows when you attempt to cause implosion within his structure. Wike remains a solid ally of Tinubu.

Rilwayne001:
Why is the opposition more focused on Wike than an ineffective opposition leader like Atiku and Peter Obi.

The rate of defections shows that they have no chance at all in 2027.

Is it those the politicians defecting that will vote on election day?

All wike have to do is to deliver Rivers vote for Tinubu, nothing more.

APC's high capacity to rig elections is reason for defections of opposition to APC, not because of popularity of APC or Tinubu

It's just a game finally he will defect when the job is done completely

lexy2014:
Is it those the politicians defecting that will vote on election day?

They will vote and they will influence a lot of votes too. You know this too well.

If one Governor defects to the coalition today, yall will jubilate. Not because of the Governors one vote, but the kind of influence to bring a lot of votes.

You know this, you’re just feigning ignorance.

Wike has overplayed his hand severally, this was bound to happen, but he is cool with the president that’s all that matters.

You guys are learners, keep on fantasizing.

The Emperor wicked Wike have tried

Campaign to sack Wike 😂😅🤣, e go reach everybody ai

The master strategist plotter, founder of Lagos who tamed the Atlantic ocean go collect wetin no good 📌👌💯

Every influence and power has its time. Whether you do good or evil, you will eventually be left to face the consequences of your actions. Power is transient, the incumbent will not remain there forever. Pity the poor masses, because after your time in power is over, you will return to live among them.

Racoon:
Shebi you lots have long faced those ones already? You are a political novice. Defection does not and never translate to political feat. It is what is called a phyrric victory.

APC didn’t have as much Governors and Senators in 2023 as they do now and yet they won in 2023.

What makes you think now that they control 70% of states in Nigeria with a 2/3 majority in the senate and same in Hor, they will fail in 2027?

ogugwa1992:
OPINION: The Declining Influence of Wike as Tinubu Secures Defections from PDP Governors

https://leaders.ng/2025/10/14/the-declining-influence-of-wike-as-tinubu-secures-defections-from-pdp-governors/

Tinubu still owes Wike big time for getting Obi out of PDP to secure 100% SE votes indirectly, in addition to the stolen votes of Rivers State.

jameshankss:
Arguing that Obi’s presidential bid would only work in favour of Tinubu, Soludo said, “Indeed, if I were Asiwaju Tinubu, I would even give Peter Obi money as someone heading one of the departments of his campaign, because Obi is making Tinubu’s pathway to victory much easier by indirectly pulling down PDP.”

Obi, according to Soludo, would only deplete the votes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pave the path for an APC victory.

He stated, “The current fleeting frenzy, if not checked, will cost Ndigbo dearly for years. The South-east has the lowest number of votes of any region, but it is also the only region where the presidential race might be a four-way race (it is a two-way race in the other five regions) thereby, ensuring that our votes won’t count in the making of the next president of Nigeria.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/11/15/soludo-i-wont-succumb-to-bullies-obi-knows-he-cant-win/

>>>
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2023: PDP and politics of healing Wike’s self-inflicted injury

Then, the race began in earnest for three years now, reaching a frenzy with the works of the two PDP committees on zoning. The first was the Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi committee on the zoning of the PDP party offices. The Ugwuanyi committee quickly told the world the committee’s assignment did not cover zoning the office of the president. Though this was true, the question is: why didn’t the Ugwuanyi committee zone the PDP chairmanship to the North without aligning it to the divide that would produce the PDP presidential flag-bearer? The second committee headed by Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue state was specifically on the zoning of the presidential ticket and, with the votes of the representatives of all the 17 Southern states without any exception, the Committee unanimously recommended throwing open the PDP presidential ticket, which the PDP NEC simply upheld.

One thing irrefutably stands out – Wike shot himself in the leg. Here was a man who had an overarching influence on both committees but could not insist that the ticket be zoned South. Many had wondered why? The reason is also relatively in plain sight: the Southeast factor. As the clamour for zoning of the presidential ticket of the PDP to South reached its crescendo, many had pointed out the fact that though the PDP Constitution had prescribed zoning of the office of the president to be between North and South since the South-west and South-south had taken their turns in producing the president and the vice in this current dispensation in the persons of Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, zoning this time around, should not just be to the South but the Southeast.

Atiku Abubakar went a step further by offering to step down from the race if it would be agreed that the touted zoning to the South would mean micro-zoning to the Southeast. Wike and the rest could not take the Atiku challenge maybe because Atiku would likely back Peter Obi, who was his vice-presidential running mate in 2019 and an ally. The prospects of Peter Obi picking the ticket if PDP zoned South was so real compelling Wike to go for an open contest, believing he could pick it up ahead of Atiku, Tambuwal and Bala Mohammed, given his large war chest.

https://www.thecable.ng/2023-pdp-and-politics-of-healing-wikes-self-inflicted-injury/amp

ddippset:
Says a man who hijacked the party and singlehandedly produced the last 4 National Chairmen of the party for his own selfishness.

Says a man who accepted nomination to be running mate to Fulani Atiku.
He knew it was injustice to give Atiku the ticket yet he lobbied to be the VP.


He knew the party had to go South for the 2023 election, yet he still put Secondus as National Chaiman just to hijack the party..
Only to push Secondus out because he wanted the ticket 2023.

This man remains the biggest problem of PDP.

He can only deceive and fool his minions, not reasonable people.

Most Nairalanders accurately predicted this love turned sour of Wike and Tinubu.... I missed it this time, I actually thought it would happen after 2027 general election when the fate of Tinubu must have been decided... Too early for discord but good as long as it's for positive things...

Nothing has happened to their relationship. These are all what opposition paid people to spread. Bring out different narratives and make the public think they are not in good terms.
Wike won't be discarded like a piece of trash, because he worked for his position, whether by hook or crook.
Tinubu won't be that insensitive to throw a man like Wike away. His interests won't stop after 2027. Even after second tenure, he will still have other interests to protect.

Still just an opinion made after outside observation

They thought PDP will be influential like before

they want to use Wike to destabilize the party

but guess what...

they're all in APc now.. including Fubara

Wike is of no use to Tinubu and APc

HeadNigga:
If fubara decamps today, Tinubu will show him the door

can u explain further, d door to where

Wike Will Eventually Loss it's Relevance, Pride Goes Befall a Fall, He Will Be Used And Dumped

Karlman:
Lol
Tinubu and Wike fight go too sweet, brutal and deadly.
Like when an Assassin fights a drug lord.

lolz waiting concern ASIWAJU with fight, na failure dey fight ask Aregbesola