FCT Minister Is an Asset to APC, Should Not Be Embarrassed — Jibrin Defends Wike

By Stanley Onyekwere

Federal lawmaker and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, has mounted a strong defence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declaring that every member of the ruling party has directly or indirectly benefited from Wike’s political contributions.

Speaking on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Jibrin warned party leaders against publicly embarrassing the minister, emphasising what he described as Wike’s pivotal role in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.

Jibrin argued that no APC member could deny benefiting from Wike’s political efforts.

“There is no APC member in Nigeria today that has not directly or indirectly benefited from the efforts of Wike, so long as delivering the President, also managing the government, also performing his work, there is nobody,” Jibrin stated.

Highlighting what he described as the scale of Wike’s political sacrifices, Jibrin said the minister effectively helped bring Rivers State into the APC’s political network.

He also said Wike asked his preferred candidates in the FCT Area Council elections to step aside to improve the chances of APC candidates.

Jibrin clarified that his intervention was not driven by personal friendship, noting that he had met Wike only twice by chance. He said his position was instead motivated by a desire to protect the political stability he believes is necessary for President Tinubu’s second-term agenda.

Responding to criticisms involving APC governors, including Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Jibrin urged aggrieved party leaders to regard Wike as an important political ally.

He advised them to engage in constructive dialogue behind closed doors rather than issue public rebukes.

Reassuring party members, Jibrin argued that the use of cross-party alliances was a normal political practice.

He claimed that politicians from opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were similarly working behind the scenes to support the administration.

Jibrin’s comments come amid tensions within the ruling party over Wike’s political influence. Despite maintaining his membership of the PDP, Wike serves as FCT minister in President Tinubu’s administration and has continued to mobilise support through his political networks.

Jibrin warned that continued public attacks on strategic political allies outside the APC could backfire and discourage figures working within the President’s broader political coalition.