Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports of an alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike said there was no agreement or political understanding between the two parties, describing the reports as mere speculation and the imagination of some politicians.
The former Rivers State governor spoke while responding to questions from journalists on growing talks about possible political realignments ahead of the next presidential election.
His comments come amid increasing political activities across the country, as politicians and political parties begin consultations and strategic planning for the 2027 polls.
In recent weeks, reports had emerged suggesting that the PDP was considering alliances with smaller political parties, including the APM, as part of efforts to strengthen its chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The speculation became stronger following the reported presidential ambition of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who is believed to be one of the influential figures within the PDP ahead of 2027.
But Wike moved quickly to dismiss the reports, insisting that no such alliance exists.
“Luckily, the PDP has issued a press statement. There is no alliance between the PDP and the Allied People’s Movement or any other political party as the case may be. INEC also knows that there is nothing called the PDP-APM alliance,” he said.
The minister’s statement is expected to calm growing rumours of possible coalition talks within the opposition camp.
Nigeria has a long history of political coalitions and mergers. One of the most notable alliances in recent history was the merger of opposition parties that led to the formation of the APC in 2013. The alliance later helped the APC defeat the PDP in the 2015 presidential election, ending the PDP’s 16-year rule at the federal level.
Since then, there have been repeated calls for opposition parties to unite in order to present a stronger challenge against the APC in future elections.
Within the PDP itself, discussions about the party’s future direction have continued since its defeat in the 2023 presidential election. Internal disagreements, leadership struggles and regional interests have remained major issues within the party.
Wike has remained one of the most influential and controversial figures in the PDP despite serving in the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.
During the 2023 election period, Wike led the G5 governors — a group of PDP governors who opposed the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over demands for power shift and internal party balance.
The crisis weakened the PDP during the election and created deep divisions that still exist within the opposition party.
Although Wike has repeatedly insisted that he remains a member of the PDP, his close relationship with the Tinubu administration has continued to attract criticism from some party members.
Apart from addressing the alleged PDP-APM alliance, Wike also spoke on the political situation in Rivers State involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
There have been rumours in recent months that Fubara was planning to leave the APC for another political platform following the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State.
The crisis between Wike and Fubara has dominated political discussions in the state since 2023, leading to divisions within the Rivers State House of Assembly and tension among political supporters.
However, Fubara recently made a public declaration of loyalty to the APC, a move that surprised many political observers and sparked fresh debate about the state’s political future.
When asked about the governor’s political situation and alleged difficulties within the APC, Wike said he was not aware of any unpleasant experience involving Fubara because he was not a member of the ruling party.
According to him, he preferred to focus on issues concerning his own political party.
“I am not a member of the APC, so I cannot speak about problems in that party. I prefer to solve issues concerning my own party, the PDP,” Wike said.
The minister did not make further comments on his relationship with the Rivers governor, which has remained strained for months.
The political tension in Rivers State has attracted national attention because of the influence of both men in the Niger Delta region and within Nigeria’s wider political structure.
As early political calculations continue across party lines, attention is expected to remain on key figures such as Wike, Makinde and other influential politicians whose decisions may affect the future of both the PDP and the wider opposition movement.
For now, however, Wike insists there is no alliance between the PDP and APM, maintaining that the reports are false and unsupported by both the party leadership and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).