EXCLUSIVE: Wike Losing Ground With Tinubu, Plans Rivers State Assembly’s Surprise Defection To APC Friday

SaharaReporters learnt that despite Wike’s efforts to shore up his standing, including directing loyal members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to pass a vote of confidence in the President, insiders say the move failed to impress Tinubu.

Fresh political intrigues are unfolding in Rivers State as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is losing ground with President Bola Tinubu amid mounting pressure from both domestic and international stakeholders.

Sources close to the Presidency indicate that Tinubu’s inner circle has grown increasingly wary of Wike, who has faced a string of controversies since joining the federal cabinet.

While Tinubu belongs to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike remains a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is currently divided by internal factional disputes.

SaharaReporters learnt that despite Wike’s efforts to shore up his standing, including directing loyal members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to pass a vote of confidence in the President, insiders say the move failed to impress Tinubu.

“Wike is desperate to impress Tinubu. Meanwhile, the President’s political gladiators told him to ditch the minister, who is enmeshed in various scandals,” one of the sources said.

It will be recalled that the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, commending his leadership and urging him to seek a second term in office.

The resolution, adopted during the House’s 37th Legislative Sitting, followed a motion sponsored by Majority Leader Hon. Major Jack and 25 other members.

The lawmakers praised Tinubu’s appointments of Rivers indigenes into key federal positions and cited federal projects in the state, including the East–West Road and the Bonny–Bodo Road.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule described Tinubu as a “compassionate” leader whose policies have increased funds available to states and local governments, enabling them to meet obligations such as salary payments.

The lawmakers also noted that despite belonging to the APC, Tinubu had not discriminated against members of the PDP.

The Assembly resolved to support the President and mobilise constituents for his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

However, sources also said the President is believed to be under pressure from the United States government as well as Christian and Muslim leaders, many of whom have voiced strong opposition to Wike’s continued influence.

“Wike reportedly asked the Rivers State Assembly members loyal to him to pass a vote of confidence in Tinubu which they did but feelers from the Presidency suggest that the President is not impressed as he faces pressure from the US and Christian and Muslim leaders who also can’t stand the minister,” one of the sources said.

In a bid to reassert his relevance, Wike has reportedly struck a deal with the Rivers Assembly to formally defect to the APC on Friday (tomorrow), if plans go ahead as scheduled.

However, political observers note that Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has shifted momentum in favour of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The governor, who has resisted overtures to join the APC, is said to enjoy solid grassroots support, leaving Wike increasingly isolated.

“Tinubu realised that after the state of emergency action he took in Rivers State, the people of the state are with Governor Sim Fubara and not Wike and Fubara too is so solid he has refused to decamp to the APC,” a source said.

On March 18, 2025, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following a political crisis between lawmakers aligned with Wike and Governor Fubara.

The declaration removed Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly from office, while Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) was appointed sole administrator.

Six months later, on September 18, 2025, the emergency rule was lifted, enabling the governor and the legislature to return to their positions.

Controversies Involving Wike As FCT Minister

Since his appointment as FCT Minister, Wike has faced a series of allegations ranging from land racketeering to abuse of office and autocratic leadership.

Public figures and elected officials have criticized his approach to governance in Abuja, prompting calls for disciplinary action and raising questions about due process in the administration of FCT affairs.

For instance, Wike has been at the centre of a land racketeering scandal, with reports of irregular land allocations in Abuja and plots being distributed to family members, allies, and associates rather than through transparent, lawful processes.

Former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank publicly urged President Tinubu to suspend Wike, citing alleged land-grabbing, corruption, and misuse of authority, and questioned the silence of anti-corruption institutions and the National Assembly.

FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe also criticized Wike’s leadership as autocratic and accused him of running the capital with impunity, alleging consistent violations of constitutional procedures and disregard for legal frameworks in decision-making.

Also, reports in August 2025 revealed that Wike secretly acquired a $2 million mansion in Winter Springs, Florida, registering it under the names of his wife, Justice Eberechi Wike, who is a serving judge in Nigeria, and their children, namely Joaquin, Jazmyne, and Jordan.

This raised questions about the source of funds, and concerns over his wife’s dual affiliations.

Wike Takes Sons To Dubai Summit

In October, many Nigerians took to social media to express outrage after reports surfaced that Wike attended the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, accompanied by his two sons, allegedly sponsored by public funds.

Photos and footage showing his sons wearing official lanyards as delegates sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the minister of turning government business into a “family affair.”

Rift Over INEC Chairmanship

Also, in October, SaharaReporters exclusively reported the appointment of Joash Amupitan as the new National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had deepened the growing rift between Wike and President Tinubu.

According to insider accounts, the disagreement became so severe that Wike boycotted the last Council of State meeting in protest, sending the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, in his place.

SaharaReporters reported that Wike had reportedly pushed hard for Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, a justice of the Court of Appeal, to be appointed as INEC Chairman.

He secured clearances for him through several security agencies, confident that Tinubu would approve.

But following mounting skepticism within the Presidency, Liman’s candidacy was quietly dropped.

Wike later confirmed his absence from the Council of State meeting where Amupitan was nominated as INEC Chairman, explaining that although he was originally scheduled to attend, he delegated the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, to represent him.

He provided the explanation during the commissioning of access roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Abuja.

Wike, however, claimed that his absence was due to prior commitments and that he had intentionally sent Bunkure as his representative.