FCT Minister Wike Seeks SDP Alliance Amid Rivers Political Crisis

In a dramatic turn of events, Federal Capital Territory Minister Chief Nyesom Wike has reportedly initiated talks to form a strategic alliance with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the Rivers State political crisis deepens. Sources close to the minister, who is currently out of the country, say he is meeting with SDP leadership—facilitated by former SDP governorship candidate Magnus Abe—to finalise modalities for a swift merger of his “Rainbow” political structure with the party.

The move comes after Wike’s alleged attempts to sway President Bola Tinubu to intervene on his behalf failed, and after the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Committee resolved to hand over the Rivers APC structure to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is expected to defect to the APC. With the APC instructing Wike to stay clear of its activities in Rivers, the minister’s new alliance aims to field candidates for the State House of Assembly and governorship in the upcoming elections, positioning his supporters to challenge Governor Fubara’s anticipated takeover of the APC ticket.

Political analysts view Wike’s pivot to the SDP as a last‑ditch effort to avoid political “retirement” and to preserve his influence in Rivers State. “Wike is trying to create a viable platform for his loyalists to contest, should the APC ticket slip from his grasp,” said a Port Harcourt‑based analyst. “This could reshape the balance of power ahead of the 2027 polls.”

The SDP has yet to issue an official statement on the reported negotiations, and attempts to reach Wike’s media team were unsuccessful at press time. Meanwhile, Governor Fubara’s camp has dismissed the development as “political maneuvering” and expressed confidence in securing the APC structure.