Former Rivers State governor and Minister-designate, Nyesom Wike, paid a visit to Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This visit comes amidst swirling rumors about Wike’s potential defection.
Former Governor of Rivers State and a Minister-designate, HE. Nyesom Wike, paid a congratulatory visit to the National Chairman, HE. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at his residence in Abuja. pic.twitter.com/WrHo3K8n8X
— APC Nigeria (@OfficialAPCNg) August 15, 2023
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Wike, who notably opposed the 2023 presidential candidacy of Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has consistently refuted any claims of planning to switch to the ruling party.
The rumours surrounding Wike’s departure from the opposition party gained traction after he secured a position within President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
Within the PDP ranks, concerns were voiced about this development, leading to the contemplation of actions to sanction the former governor of Rivers State.
Wike’s possible defection will signify a 180-degree turnaround, as he had earlier outrightly dismissed the possibility of dumping the PDP for the APC which he described as cancerous.
Debunking a viral video that portrayed Wike as announcing his defection to the APC in 2022, his spokesman in a statement said “Our attention has been drawn to a manipulated video circulating on social media, purporting that the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, intends to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” the statement reads.
“It will be recalled that in June 2021, Governor Wike was interviewed on Arise Television, following the defection of Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“During the interview, Governor Wike, while reacting to reason given by Ebonyi State governor for his defection, dismissed it as untenable. The excerpt of the interview in circulation has been deliberately manipulated by some desperate and unscrupulous persons with obnoxious agenda.
“The intent of the video being circulated is to mislead the unsuspecting public, particularly members of the PDP. We, hereby, urge the public to disregard the manipulated video.
“Governor Wike has repeatedly maintained that he will never under any circumstances defect from the PDP, which has offered him the platform to excel in his political career.
“We urge the public to ignore the distorted video. Those behind it are desperately wicked and intend to mislead the public. Governor Wike remains a faithful, committed member of the PDP and will never leave it for cancerous APC.”