ABUJA — In the high-stakes arena of Nigerian politics, where loyalty is often a fluid concept, FCT Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (CON, GSSRS) has emerged as a singular force—a man who effectively functions as a leader within both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Following the sweeping victory of the APC in the February 21, 2026, FCT Area Council elections, political analysts are once again pointing to Wike’s “game of the brain” strategy as the engine behind the shift in the nation’s capital.
A Dual Identity In A Divided Landscape
Wike’s current political standing is unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history. Serving as a high-ranking Minister in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s APC-led cabinet while stubbornly refusing to vacate his membership in the opposition PDP, he has created a “third way” that bypasses traditional party discipline.
Supporters argue that every political party “needs a Wike” because of his uncompromising ability to deliver results. Since taking office in 2023, he has been dubbed “Mr. Project” in Abuja, accelerating infrastructure development that many residents believe was the primary driver behind the APC’s success in the recent polls.
Politics Of The Brain Over The Heart
The Minister’s critics, however, view his dual-influence as a “Trojan Horse” strategy.
- The PDP Dilemma: Within the PDP, Wike remains the head of the influential “Integrity Group,” essentially holding the party’s structure hostage in Rivers State and at the national level.
- The APC Pushback: Conversely, some FCT APC stalwarts have protested, claiming that Wike’s dominance is “suffocating” the local party hierarchy in favor of his personal political machine.
The Rivers State Factor
Despite his successes in Abuja, the “Wike Doctrine” faces its toughest test in his home state of Rivers. His protracted feud with Governor Siminalayi Fubara has led to a fractured state assembly and a series of legal battles that have largely paralyzed the traditional PDP machinery in the South-South stronghold.
“Love him or hate him, you cannot underrate him,” noted a political commentator at the AMAC collation center. “Wike understands that politics is not a game of emotions; it is a calculated game of leverage.”
As the 2027 general elections loom, the “Leader of both branches” remains the most unpredictable variable in Nigeria’s power equation, proving that in his world, the constitution of power often overrides the constitution of the party.
