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By Oscar Okhifo
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at politicians defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), mocking them for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) even though he, himself, has not officially joined the ruling party despite his open support for President Bola Tinubu.
His remarks followed the shock defection of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, along with 21 members of the state House of Assembly, from the PDP.
Governor Diri, announced his defection on Wednesday after what he described as “extensive consultations.” He made the declaration during an expanded State Executive Council meeting in Yenagoa.
He was joined by the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, his deputy, and 19 other lawmakers, all of whom pledged their support for the governor’s decision.
Diri said his move was in the best interest of Bayelsans and consistent with his vision for the continued development of the state.
“After wide consultations and deep reflections on the state of our nation, I have decided to leave the PDP,” he reportedly said.
Reacting to the development, Wike mocked the defectors, saying those who once called him a traitor for aligning with President Tinubu have now followed the same path.
“They called me a traitor, but today they are the ones running to the same place they said I was going to destroy the PDP,” Wike said. “They should rather commend me for having seen the future before them.”
The FCT Minister praised President Tinubu’s leadership, noting that more states are now able to pay salaries and execute capital projects without excessive borrowing.
He said, it reflects “visionary and pragmatic leadership that gives confidence to serious-minded politicians.”
However, the PDP leadership condemned Diri’s defection, accusing the APC of pursuing a deliberate plot to turn Nigeria into a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Bayelsa governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, also described Diri’s decision as “unnecessary and unfortunate,” warning that democracy should not be allowed to slide into one-party dominance.
Similarly, elder statesman and chieftain of the PDP, Chief Bode Olabode, expressed surprise over the wave of defections, saying he never expected some prominent figures, particularly Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, to leave the party.
“I must say I’m shocked. I never saw Mbah’s defection coming,” Olabode said, adding that the recent developments call for sober reflection within the PDP leadership.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) likewise criticized the wave of defections, saying it confirmed President Tinubu’s alleged “one-party agenda” and a growing threat to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
With Diri’s exit and the defection of 21 lawmakers, the PDP’s once-solid control of Bayelsa politics now faces a major test.