The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed concern over the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that internal divisions and selfish interests may ruin the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
He stated that, unless the party corrects its internal crisis, it stands no chance of winning the upcoming election.
Wike made these statements during his monthly media chat with selected journalists in Abuja on Monday.
He highlighted the PDP’s failure to provide effective leadership and unite its members as significant factors that could lead to the party’s downfall.
The minister pointed to recent defections, especially those involving Delta State politicians, as clear signs of dissatisfaction within the party.
Wike defended the decision of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to switch from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasizing that it was a political move rather than an act of betrayal.
“When people talk about the governor of Delta State and his predecessor moving out of PDP to APC, what wrong did he do? That he said he was going to support Tinubu, that was the crime?” Wike asked.
He stressed that the defection was a result of leadership failures within the PDP.
Wike also criticized what he perceived as hypocrisy within the party, pointing to the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) for endorsing Labour Party’s Alex Otti for a second term as Governor of Abia State.
He questioned why the party’s leadership was not addressing this move.
“But the Chairman of the BoT, who is the conscience of the party, adopted Otti for a second tenure. Why are people not commenting about that? The Chairman of PDP BoT adopted Alex Otti, governor under Labour Party, for a second tenure,” Wike stated.
The former governor of Rivers State further argued that opposition parties are supposed to be organized and focused on taking over the government, rather than being embroiled in internal conflicts.
He expressed frustration with the party’s focus on targeting him, as the only “crime” he committed was serving as a minister in an APC-led government.
“No opposition party allows impunity; it’s only the ruling party. Opposition is supposed to organize itself to take over the affairs of government. How many times have they made efforts? How many people have you wooed? Rather, they are after Wike. They abandoned what they are supposed to do—the only crime is that Wike is a minister under APC government,” Wike said.
Wike also challenged the PDP’s governors and former governors to show the same level of commitment he displayed during past elections.
“I am the only former governor who did not support the presidential candidate but made sure PDP won 100 percent in the governorship, State Assembly, and National Assembly. Let any sitting governor or former governor come out to say that happened in their states,” he said.
The minister issued a stern warning that unless the PDP corrects its internal mistakes and stops alienating loyal members, it risks repeating the errors that led to its defeat in the 2023 elections.
“You have not won an election, but you are excluding people. You want to play the same game you played in 2023; it will backfire. I have told people that this smartness will not help you. Wike is telling you now to stop this smartness,” he cautioned.
On the defection of Ifeanyi Okowa and his allies, Wike described it as a politically strategic move and criticized the PDP for failing to foresee it.
He expressed disbelief that the party was caught off guard by such defections.
“If you do not show leadership, you suffer for it. This is what I have been saying.”
“I am surprised that PDP said they didn’t see it coming. I won’t call the names of the governors. I call them. I said, ‘Listen, the way things are going, I have warned you people.’ You said they are governors. I have no problem. Let’s see what will happen,” Wike said.
