The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed strong concerns over the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) chances in the 2027 presidential election, warning that unless the party reconsiders its zoning strategy, it stands no chance against the incumbent President, Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at a media parley on Monday, Wike criticized PDP’s leadership for allegedly violating internal arrangements during the 2023 elections by failing to respect the party’s zoning principle, a move he believes sowed internal discord and cost the party the presidency.
“If PDP does not take care, and I say it again, watch out for what will happen,” he warned. “You know, selfish interest can kill an organisation… Because of selfish interests, they manipulated the system.”
Wike pointed out that both the party’s presidential candidate and national chairman in 2023 were from the North — a development he said was against the party’s tradition and constitution.
He insisted that the same strategy in 2027 would likely fail again.
He further challenged the party to make its position known on zoning: “Why not, as a party, come out openly now and say our presidential candidate will also come from the south?… You want to play the same game you played in 2023. It will backfire.”
His remarks came shortly after the PDP Board of Trustees, chaired by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, inaugurated 40 new members including former governors and party stalwarts. Wabara called on them to help steer the party toward stability and electoral relevance.
In the face of persistent defections, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress, Wike defended the move, citing open support for Tinubu as an honest political choice.
“That he said he was going to support Tinubu, the President, is a crime?” he asked rhetorically. “Now, this man said look, I am not going to do this type of pretence… Smart politician.”
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Turning attention to PDP’s internal dysfunction, Wike criticized the leadership for what he termed as impunity and lack of direction, saying the party lacks the discipline expected of a serious opposition.
“In anything you are doing, if you do not have the right leadership, this is what you will suffer… Rather, you are after one man; every day, you are after Wike. You abandoned what you are supposed to do,” he stated.
The former Rivers governor also commented on the prolonged crisis in Rivers State, confirming that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara had sought peace but continued to undermine reconciliation efforts.
“Yes, he came… and he said he wants peace, fine. I want peace,” Wike noted, while adding that Fubara had failed to act on advice given to him in the early days of the conflict. He described the governor’s predicament as “self-inflicted,” blaming poor decision-making and defiance of elders’ counsel.
Wike was skeptical about Fubara’s sincerity in seeking peace, citing continued public insults and lack of engagement with key political players as red flags. “It’s not to say I want peace, you must show by conduct and by action, that indeed (you want peace),” he added.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s renewed effort to reinvigorate its Board of Trustees is being seen as a response to the party’s dwindling influence and mass defections.
The BoT chairman urged the new members to uphold the party’s values and provide moral guidance.
