Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has described Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike as an “asset” to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while urging party leaders to handle disagreements involving the former Rivers State governor diplomatically.
Jibrin made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, amid political disagreements involving Wike and some APC governors ahead of the 2027 general elections. Channels Television reported that Jibrin argued Wike had made political sacrifices for the APC and President Bola Tinubu despite remaining associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Jibrin specifically advised APC governors against publicly embarrassing or confronting Wike, arguing that political disagreements should be managed through dialogue rather than public exchanges.
Jibrin Defends Wike’s Role
Jibrin said Wike’s contribution to the APC-led administration should not be overlooked, pointing to his continued cooperation with President Tinubu despite his political affiliation with the PDP.
According to reports of the interview, Jibrin argued that APC members had benefited directly or indirectly from Wike’s political activities.
He also claimed that Wike had played a role in strengthening the APC’s position in Rivers State.
“I’m not holding brief for Wike, but I believe that he has sacrificed so much for the APC and the President,” Jibrin said, according to reports of the interview. “Wike is an asset to the APC. I don’t think Wike should be embarrassed at this moment with public statements.”
The statement represents Jibrin’s political assessment of Wike’s role and should not be treated as an independently established measure of the minister’s influence within the APC.
Call for Diplomatic Engagement
Jibrin said that if he had the opportunity to advise the APC Governors’ Forum, he would encourage its members to approach disagreements involving Wike diplomatically.
His comments came against the background of public exchanges involving Wike and some APC governors.
The lawmaker argued that political differences were normal but should be managed in a way that does not unnecessarily damage relationships within the broader political coalition supporting the Tinubu administration.
Jibrin also urged APC governors to regard Wike as part of the wider political establishment rather than treating him as an outsider.
He described Wike as someone who had continued to work with the Federal Government despite remaining formally associated with the PDP.
Wike Remains in the PDP
Wike’s political position has been unusual since President Tinubu appointed him FCT minister in August 2023.
The former Rivers State governor has remained associated with the PDP while serving in an APC-led federal administration.
His participation in the Tinubu government has generated debate within both the ruling party and the opposition, particularly as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
Jibrin’s comments reflect one view within the APC that Wike’s cooperation with the administration has political value.
However, Wike’s continued relationship with the PDP and his political activities outside the formal structure of the APC have also remained subjects of political discussion.
Earlier reports have documented comments from both APC and PDP figures describing Wike as politically valuable, although those assessments have differed depending on the political interests of the speakers.
Jibrin Points to Rivers State
One of Jibrin’s main arguments concerned Rivers State, where Wike served as governor from 2015 to 2023.
Jibrin claimed that Wike had helped strengthen the APC’s position in the state, describing the development as part of the minister’s contribution to the ruling party.
“Wike has handed over Rivers State to the APC,” Jibrin said, according to reports of his interview.
That statement is Jibrin’s political characterization of events and does not establish, by itself, the extent to which Wike was responsible for the APC’s political position in Rivers State.
The political situation in Rivers has been shaped by several actors, institutions and competing political interests, making claims about individual influence a matter of political interpretation.
Concerns About Public Disagreements
Jibrin also referred to concerns raised by politicians outside the APC over the public disagreements involving Wike.
He said some politicians working with the wider political coalition had contacted him about statements directed at the FCT minister.
According to reports, Jibrin said some politicians associated with opposition platforms, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had expressed concern about the treatment of Wike.
Jibrin used those interactions to argue that political stakeholders should consider the broader implications of public confrontations involving individuals who cooperate with the administration despite belonging to different political parties.
Wike and the 2027 Political Landscape
The dispute comes as Nigerian political parties and political actors intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Wike has remained a significant figure in discussions surrounding the political alignment of the Tinubu administration, particularly because of his position as an FCT minister and his continued links to the PDP.
Jibrin’s intervention also came during a wider discussion about President Tinubu’s political prospects and the organisation of campaign structures ahead of the next presidential election.
Channels Television reported separately from the same interview that Jibrin said he expected Tinubu to secure at least 65 per cent of votes cast in the 2027 presidential election. That figure is Jibrin’s prediction and is not an established election result or independently verified forecast.
The political significance of Wike’s relationship with the APC therefore remains connected to broader negotiations and alignments among Nigeria’s political parties ahead of 2027.
Why the Wike Question Matters
Wike’s position illustrates the fluid nature of Nigerian party politics, where political cooperation can sometimes extend across formal party boundaries.
For the APC, Jibrin’s comments highlight an argument that cooperation with politicians outside the party’s formal membership can be politically useful.
For the PDP, Wike’s continued association with the party while serving in an APC-led government remains part of an ongoing debate about opposition politics and political alliances.
For voters, the developments provide context for understanding the political realignments that could shape the 2027 election cycle.
However, political claims about individual influence should be distinguished from independently verifiable electoral outcomes.
What Happens Next
The immediate issue is whether the disagreements involving Wike and some APC governors will be resolved through private discussions or continue through public statements.
Jibrin has called for a diplomatic approach, arguing that political differences should be managed without publicly embarrassing the FCT minister.
The wider political question is whether Wike will eventually formally join the APC or continue his current position of serving in the APC-led Federal Government while maintaining his relationship with the PDP.
As the 2027 elections approach, developments involving Wike, the APC, PDP and other political platforms are likely to remain part of Nigeria’s broader political realignment.
For now, Jibrin’s position is clear: he regards Wike as politically valuable to the APC and believes disagreements involving the minister should be managed through dialogue rather than public confrontation.
Weng Global — Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Channels Television — 2027: Tinubu Will Have Nothing Less Than 65% Of Total Votes Cast — Jibrin
- Leadership Newspaper — Wike Is An Asset To APC, Has Sacrificed For Tinubu – Kano Lawmaker
- 9News Nigeria — 2027: Wike is an Asset to the APC — Jibrin
- Politics Nigeria — Wike Has Sacrificed So Much For APC, Tinubu – Kano Reps Member
- Business Times Nigeria — Wike an asset, sacrificed for APC, Tinubu – Jibrin
