Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stark warning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cautioning that the party stands no chance of winning the 2027 general elections unless it addresses what he called its internal fractures and self-centered political culture.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike lamented what he described as persistent leadership failures and a lack of strategic foresight within the party.
“Leadership is key, if you don’t show the right leadership you will suffer for it and this is what I have been saying,” he remarked, pointing to what he sees as a dangerous leadership vacuum in the PDP.
Wike did not hold back in defending Delta State Governor and his predecessor for their decision to support President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that has drawn criticism within the PDP.
“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 said.
He then questioned the selective outrage within the party, pointing out that the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) had endorsed a Labour Party governor without facing the same scrutiny.
“But the Chairman of the BoT who is the conscience of the party adopted Otti for second tenure. Why are people not commenting about that? The Chairman of PDP BoT adopted Alex Otti, governor under Labour Party, for second tenure.”
Accusing the PDP leadership of enabling impunity, Wike stated that the party is currently failing in its duty as an opposition force capable of challenging the ruling APC.
“No opposition party allows impunity, it’s only the ruling party. Opposition is going 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.”
He also reminded the PDP of his political clout and achievements during the 2023 general elections, noting that he delivered full victories across all electoral levels in his state despite not supporting the party’s presidential candidate.
“I’m 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.”
Wike concluded with a warning to PDP leaders against the dangers of exclusion and repeated political miscalculations, cautioning that a refusal to learn from past mistakes could lead to a repeat of their 2023 defeat.
“If PDP doesn’t take care, watch out for what will happen because selfish interest can kill an organization. You haven’t 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.”
What you should know
Nyesom Wike, a key political player within the PDP and current Minister of the FCT, has openly criticized the party’s trajectory ahead of the 2027 elections.
His remarks center on growing concerns of disunity, selective outrage, and exclusionary politics within the PDP.
Wike defended figures within the party who chose to support the APC and condemned the silence over others making similar moves.
Notably, he pointed out the PDP BoT Chairman’s endorsement of a Labour Party governor, which he sees as evidence of internal inconsistency.
By invoking his political influence in Rivers State—where he secured sweeping victories for the PDP despite opposing its presidential candidate—Wike asserts his relevance and issues a broader warning.
For him, the PDP’s failure to confront internal fractures and self-serving agendas will ultimately cost the party any realistic chance of reclaiming national power.
His statements have sparked debate within and outside the party, reinforcing questions about the PDP’s readiness to act as a credible opposition and contest the 2027 elections effectively.
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