The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculations that he has defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Jungudo Mohammed, made this clarification in a statement on Wednesday, describing Wike as a valuable asset.

The clarification followed recent comments by APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, who openly praised Wike’s leadership and said he was jealous that the minister is not in the ruling party.

“The commendation from the ruling party only confirms the quality of leaders the opposition has produced over the years.

“We have no intention of allowing Wike leave permanently, regardless of political pressure or offers from the APC. He is a valuable asset to the PDP,” the statement said.

DAILY POST reports that Wike is a card carrying member of the PDP but is working as a minister under the APC-led Federal Government.

The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliott, has spoken against switching political camps, stating that such may not result in the desired change that Nigeria needs.

Elliott, who expressed reservations over politicians’ party switching style during an interview on ‘The Morayo Show’, reflected on leadership, governance and the current state of Nigerian politics.

The lawmaker said he does not believe that switching camps in search of a better alternative is the right thing to do as a politician, stressing that in his years as a representative for Surulere, he has delivered results in power supply and healthcare.

“My own kind of politician, I don’t steal money. If you look at Surulere 10 years ago, it was a horrible place to live in, but now there’s electricity, healthcare and all,” he said.

The Nollywood star-turned politician, who pointed out that public office is not a position of superiority, stressed that leadership is temporary and should be approached with humility and service, noting that many politicians often forget that power is fleeting and can disappear at any moment.

“I’m not sure. I ask myself, if I leave Asiwaju and I go to Obi, what is the difference between Asiwaju and Obi? If I leave Obi and I go to Atiku, what is the difference? ” he asked

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Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu pledged not to seek a second term if he failed to improve electricity supply in Nigeria.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Onanuga said the President’s 2022 campaign remarks had “been taken out of context”. 

According to him, Tinubu’s statement on electricity was conditional and not a firm commitment to forgo re-election.

Mr Onanuga explained that Tinubu has demonstrated commitment to reforming the power sector since assuming office, citing the signing of the Electricity Act, which allows states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity independently.

He also mentioned government efforts to tackle estimated billing through increased meter distribution and other interventions aimed at improving service delivery.

While admitting that electricity supply has not yet reached the level envisioned by the administration, Onanuga attributed the challenges to longstanding issues such as gas shortages, legacy debts owed to gas suppliers, and an outdated transmission infrastructure.

He maintained that the Federal Government remains focused on addressing these challenges and improving power generation and distribution across the country.