Wike Reportedly Directs Rivers Loyalists To Defect To APC After Supreme Court PDP Ruling
By Queen Madaki
Abuja – Nigeria News Today | The Bureau News
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly directed his loyalists in Rivers State to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the Supreme Court’s final judgment on the party’s leadership crisis.
According to sources familiar with the development, Wike issued the directive on Friday night, shortly after the apex court’s decision, and his loyal candidates in Rivers State began obtaining APC nomination forms the following day.
“Wike has moved on following the Supreme Court’s final judgment. On Friday night, he directed his PDP candidates in Rivers State to defect to the APC, and by yesterday they had begun picking up APC nomination forms,” a source disclosed.
Supreme Court Judgment Triggers Political Realignment
The reported move has intensified speculation over Wike’s political strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections and signals a possible major realignment in Rivers State politics.
A Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment, cited in media reports, indicated that the faction aligned with Wike did not prevail in the dispute over control of the PDP leadership structure.
The apex court reportedly dismissed both Wike’s cross-appeal and the main appeal filed by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction, which is aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
PDP Faction Rejects Purported Certified True Copy
In response, Abdulrahman Mohammed, who claims to be the National Chairman of the PDP, rejected the circulated document, insisting it was not an officially certified copy of the Supreme Court ruling.
In a statement issued by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Haruna Jagunda, the group argued that the document lacked the required certification, stamp, and signature of authorised Supreme Court officials.
“The document currently in circulation was not officially released by the Supreme Court,” the statement said.
The faction maintained that, even if the document were genuine, its contents still confirmed the defeat of Kabiru Turaki and others from the Federal High Court to the Supreme Court.
Political Implications Ahead Of 2027
The latest developments have deepened uncertainty over the future of the PDP and the balance of power among its leading figures.
Political observers say any large-scale movement of Wike’s loyalists into the APC could significantly alter the political dynamics in Rivers State and influence preparations for the 2027 elections.
The Bureau News reports that the Supreme Court ruling has triggered renewed debate over the leadership and direction of the opposition party.
