The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a warning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cautioning that the party risks facing serious consequences if it continues to allow personal ambitions and selfish interests to override collective goals.
Wike expressed concern that the party’s ongoing leadership struggles and its tendency to sideline key members might cost it dearly in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike emphasized that unless PDP reconsiders its approach, it might repeat mistakes from the 2023 elections that could weaken its influence in the coming years.
He stated, “Leadership is key, if you don’t show the right leadership, you will suffer for it and this is what I have been saying.”
Wike also weighed in on the recent defection of the Governor of Delta State and his predecessor from PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), questioning the backlash they faced.
He asked, “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?”
The minister didn’t hold back in criticizing actions within the PDP’s leadership either. He pointed to a situation where the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman openly supported Alex Otti of the Labour Party for a second term as Abia State governor.
“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?” he asked.
Highlighting the importance of discipline and internal cohesion within any opposition movement, Wike remarked, “No opposition party allows impunity, it’s only the ruling party. Opposition is going to organize itself to take over the affairs of government.”
Responding to criticism about his role as a minister in an APC-led government while retaining PDP ties, Wike defended his record, stating that his loyalty to the party at both local and national levels had never been in doubt.
“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,” he declared.
Wike concluded with a stern warning for the party’s future, insisting that continuing on the same path would be disastrous.
“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.”
He further added, “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.”
