A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and federal lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, amid criticism from some APC governors over his political activities and continued membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Jibrin made his position known on Wednesday night during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he argued that Wike’s contributions to President Bola Tinubu and the APC-led administration should be recognised.
The Kano lawmaker said Wike remained useful to the ruling party despite still belonging to the PDP. He also urged APC members, particularly governors who disagree with the FCT minister, to address their concerns through private discussions rather than public criticism.
Jibrin said Wike had played a role in supporting Tinubu’s emergence as President and had continued to contribute to efforts linked to the administration and its political interests.
He said Wike had made several political sacrifices that benefited the APC, including his role in the political changes that strengthened the party’s position in Rivers State.
The lawmaker also referred to Wike’s activities during the Federal Capital Territory elections, claiming that the minister asked some candidates associated with him to step aside in favour of APC candidates.
Jibrin said Wike also joined the Federal Government as part of the national unity arrangement, which he described as another indication of his support for the administration.
He explained that his defence of Wike was not based on a close personal relationship with the minister. According to him, he had only met Wike a few times and was speaking because he believed issues that could affect the political efforts surrounding Tinubu’s second-term bid required attention.
The lawmaker said political support for Tinubu was not limited to members of the APC, noting that some politicians belonging to other parties were also involved in efforts supporting the President.
He therefore argued that Wike’s continued membership of the PDP should not automatically be treated as a reason to dismiss his contributions to the APC-led government or Tinubu’s political project.
Jibrin also called on APC governors who have disagreements with Wike to engage him directly and resolve their differences privately.
His comments came after some APC governors criticised Wike over his continued membership of the PDP while supporting Tinubu’s bid for another term in office in 2027.
Among those who have raised concerns are Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The disagreement centres partly on Wike’s involvement in the political group known as the Rainbow Coalition, through which he and other politicians have been mobilising support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
Wike has remained a member of the PDP despite his role in the Federal Government under an APC administration. His political activities have continued to attract debate within and outside the ruling party.
Jibrin, however, maintained that Wike’s political role should be considered in the context of his support for the President and the electoral gains he has helped the ruling party achieve.
He pointed to the recent FCT Area Council elections, where the APC won five of the six councils, as part of the electoral outcomes he associated with Wike’s political activities.
The lawmaker said the focus should be on managing disagreements within the broader political arrangement rather than publicly attacking the FCT minister.
He urged APC governors and other party members with concerns about Wike to meet with him and discuss their differences, rather than allowing public statements to create further tension within the political camp supporting Tinubu’s 2027 ambition.