By Ayomide Otitoju
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to urgently resolve its internal crises ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that failure to do so could jeopardise the party’s chances of returning to power.
Wike made the call on Monday during a media chat at his office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he criticised the party’s leadership for what he described as a lack of focus and direction.
According to him, the PDP risks political decline if its leaders fail to acknowledge past mistakes and take corrective actions. He said winning elections requires deliberate positioning and strong leadership, stressing that without these, the party may struggle in 2027.
“If the leadership is committed, it should reflect on what has gone wrong and take steps to correct it. It is not just about taking over government; you must position yourself,” Wike said, adding that the survival of the party should be a priority even if electoral victory appears uncertain.
The PDP has faced persistent internal divisions since the 2023 general elections, leading to the defection of several members, including serving governors, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
During the interview, Wike also mocked the PDP National Convention held on November 15 in Ibadan, Oyo State, describing it as poorly conducted. He accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of seeking total control of the party and allegedly securing an ex parte court order from an Ibadan court to enable the convention to hold.
Wike and Makinde, once close political allies, have recently fallen out, with tensions escalating publicly in recent weeks.
On December 23, Makinde accused Wike of attempting to weaken the PDP in support of President Bola Tinubu’s alleged second-term ambition. Speaking at a media briefing in Ibadan, Makinde claimed that President Tinubu had previously asked him to help organise the APC in Oyo State, a request he said he declined due to his PDP membership.
The Oyo governor further alleged that during a meeting attended by President Tinubu, Wike, the President’s Chief of Staff and other officials, the FCT minister openly offered to “hold” the PDP for the president ahead of the 2027 elections.
Makinde said the remark shocked him and raised concerns about deliberate efforts to undermine the opposition and tilt the country toward a one-party system.
