The Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Coalition of United Political Parties, and others have strongly criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for openly declaring his plan to lead President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
During a media chat on Monday in Abuja, Wike described himself as a key asset in helping Tinubu win the 2027 election. The former Rivers State Governor also insisted he was not involved in any anti-party activities and challenged the PDP to suspend him if they believed otherwise.
In response, the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, urged Nigerians to disregard Wike’s comments, stating that the party would soon enforce its rules against the minister.
The CUPP’s Publicity Secretary, Mark Adebayo, labelled Wike as the “President’s hatchet man”, accusing him of working to dismantle opposition parties. The NNPP asserted that Tinubu would be defeated in 2027 despite Wike’s endorsement.
Speaking on Monday during a media parley in Abuja, Wike said, “I am still in the PDP. I worked hard for the party. I have not seen anybody who has the guts to tell me, ‘Wike, you are not a member of the party.’ Who is that? What is his contribution to the party that is more than mine?”
“It’s a party leadership problem. Look at it. You won’t tell me that they didn’t have intelligence that Delta would go. You won’t tell me that they didn’t have intelligence that Akwa Ibom would go.
“Now, as the leadership, what would you do? Send a team, ‘ask them ‘why are you doing this?’ No, you’re making a mistake. Impunity; let them go. Look Opposition does not do impunity. No, no, no, we try to beg, beg. Put everybody together. You don’t say, let them go. Let me tell you, I cannot do that,” the minister insisted.
In response, a senior PDP official described the party as one that upholds law and order, stating that it would soon take disciplinary action against Wike in accordance with its rules.
He stated, “This party is a party of process. We have the structures, processes, and laws that we’re following. At the right time, we shall enforce our laws on him and others.
“When somebody says nobody can remove him from the party, that is just his view. The PDP is bigger than any individual. And my answer is very simple: opinion is free, but facts are sacred. Policies are sacred. Rules and regulations are sacred. While he is entitled to his view, I can tell you that, at the right time, the party will enforce its rules.” The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Osadolor called on Nigerians and party members to disregard Wike.
He stated, “The truth is that Wike has lost the class and influence he once had among the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party. That is not to say he is not an influential Nigerian, but the kind of command, control, and leverage he previously held within the party has been completely stripped from him.
“So, when you see him crying or wailing now and then, it’s more of a reactionary outburst than something to be taken seriously. You see, the PDP stands a very good chance of wresting power from the current government in this country.
“Even with Wike’s support, we saw what happened in Rivers in 2023. So, Nigerians should not be deceived by sensational speeches or media chats. No matter how much he cries or postures, Nigerians are already determined that this government will be a one-term government.
“And the beautiful part is that it’s not the PDP alone that will accomplish this. The PDP is merely a vehicle — Nigerians want to use it to send their message. And that message will be loud and clear.
“So, for me, I urge Nigerians and the PDP to ignore the drama from Wike and other wicked ones who may rise before the elections. We should keep our eyes on the ball and block out distractions like these, so they don’t cloud our focus. Our direction is clear: to reclaim our mandate from those involved in this current power grab in Abuja.”
In his reaction to Wike’s declaration of support for Tinubu, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Bode George, said the main opposition party would field a candidate of southern extraction who must be a member of the party.
He added that the party would by no means work for the re-election of Tinubu because he belongs to another political party.
