By Ayomide Otitoju
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party aspiring for elective offices in the 2027 general elections to be confident and not fear contesting, even in states without a PDP governor.
Speaking at the ongoing 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the former Rivers State governor stressed, “Those afraid that they will not win elections because they don’t have a governor from the PDP in their state, that is a lie. Remove fear from your body and have confidence.”
Wike also reassured members that the party’s convention, scheduled for March 29–30, 2026, will proceed as planned, with all criteria met. He expressed optimism that many members who had previously left the PDP would return ahead of the convention.
On party reconciliation, the minister called on PDP leadership to continue efforts to bring willing former members back while allowing those unwilling to remain apart. “It’s important for the party to hold peace talks so that those who have been expelled or suspended… can have discussions on how to come back in,” Wike said. He emphasized that the process must be sincere, not driven by individuals seeking personal advantage.
Wike also took a swipe at defecting PDP governors, including Seyi Makinde, criticizing them for leaving the party. “They were accusing me of working for the APC. Where are they today? We had 13 governors… today, how many do we have? They all ran away because they were defeated,” he said.
Addressing Makinde directly, Wike added, “You wanted to be a contractor, and I wanted power. You got contracts from Chevron, why didn’t you stay there and leave us to do our job? If you are not ready to play it, go home and rest. We are ready to have sleepless nights.”
He reiterated his commitment to the PDP and reconciliation efforts: “No blackmail will change us… Even if we have two senators, it is good we have two quality people than a multitude. I said I was not going to leave the party, and I will not. I believe in true reconciliation, and we will continue to have it even after the convention.”
