By Rimawaglobalnews Political Desk
Amid the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is reportedly making fresh moves to align with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following setbacks within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Credible political sources disclosed that Wike is considering a strategic alliance with the SDP as an alternative platform to counter the growing influence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, especially if the APC governorship ticket is eventually conceded to the incumbent governor.
The development comes on the heels of the APC National Committee’s decision to hand over the Rivers State APC party structure to Governor Fubara following his reported defection to the ruling party. The decision is said to have significantly weakened Wike’s influence within the APC in the state.
Reports further indicate that Wike’s political camp, popularly referred to as the “Rainbow structure,” is being repositioned towards the SDP as a contingency plan. Sources revealed that the FCT Minister, who is currently outside the country, has been holding high-level consultations with the national leadership of the SDP to finalize modalities for a possible merger of his supporters into the party.
The meeting, reportedly facilitated by former Rivers governorship candidate and SDP chieftain, Senator Magnus Abe, was said to have attracted the SDP National Chairman and other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Insiders say the move is aimed at creating a viable political platform for Wike’s loyalists to field candidates for the State House of Assembly and the governorship in the forthcoming elections, thereby sustaining his long-standing ambition to reclaim political dominance in Rivers State.
Political observers note that the reported realignment became inevitable after the APC leadership allegedly directed Wike to stay clear of party activities in Rivers State, closing all internal avenues to challenge Governor Fubara’s control of the party.
With the options within the APC seemingly exhausted, analysts believe the possible switch to the SDP is a strategic effort by Wike to remain politically relevant and provide his supporters with an avenue to participate actively in future elections in the state.
As of press time, neither the FCT Minister nor the SDP leadership has issued an official statement confirming the reported alliance.
