Amid Defections, Wike Participates in PDP Stakeholders Forum

In a stunning turn of events inside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), unexpectedly attended a pivotal PDP Governors’ Forum meeting in Abuja on Sunday.
In the midst of rising tensions and defections inside the opposition party, it was understood that this was his first time attending a gathering of this nature in months.
Given his prominent position in the breakaway G5 faction and his ongoing support for the APC-led federal government, Wike’s participation is noteworthy.

Rumors regarding his possible defection have been circulating, raising doubts about his commitment to the PDP due to his affiliation with the ruling party.

However, as the general elections of 2027 draw near, Wike’s Sunday sitting with his current and past colleagues raised the possibility of a détente or a reassessment of his political approach.
Six current PDP governors as well as a number of past state chief executives who had previously served under the party’s platform attended the meeting, which was presided over by Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State. Seyi Makinde from Oyo, Ademola Adeleke from Osun, Caleb Mutfwang from Plateau, Ahmadu Fintiri from Adamawa, Peter Mbah from Enugu, and Dauda Lawal from Zamfara were among the governors who attended the meeting.

Read Also: Tinubu’s ‘Retirement Land’ Request, Major Tax Reforms, and $1.5 Billion Oil Investment in Nigeria

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, who has also been suspected of favoring the APC, was conspicuously absent.

When Wike arrived at the location at approximately 9:23 PM, former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), who are his G5 friends, had already seated themselves with other interested parties.

Notwithstanding the prior rifts and differences that had created a schism within the PDP, his attendance at the meeting is interpreted as an indication of a potential concerted return to discussion within the party.