As political permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to take shape, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against repeating what he described as the “grave mistake” of 2023 by failing to zone its presidential ticket to the South.
Wike, a staunch and vocal stakeholder in the opposition party, minced no words in a strongly-worded statement, where he accused the PDP leadership of failing to live up to its responsibility of unifying the party post-2023 and preparing adequately for the next general elections.
“No opposition party worth its salt acts with impunity,” he declared. “Rather than reflecting on the factors that led to the party’s loss at the center in 2023, the PDP leadership fixated on me, abandoning their role of attracting credible members and galvanizing support for the future.”
Reiterating his stance during the last presidential election, Wike said, “At no point did I say I was going to support the PDP presidential candidate.” He emphasized that despite his personal reservations, he remained committed to the party at the state level and ensured sweeping victories across board in Rivers State. “I am the only former governor who did not support the presidential candidate but still delivered 100% for the PDP in the governorship, national assembly, and state assembly elections.”
The FCT Minister further stressed that the path to redemption for the PDP lies in fairness, justice, and adherence to the principles of zoning. He maintained that zoning the presidential ticket to the South is not only a moral imperative but a political necessity if the party hopes to regain national relevance and trust.
Wike’s comments are expected to ignite fresh debates within the PDP hierarchy, as internal discussions on zoning and national representation become more urgent ahead of the party’s forthcoming convention and preparations for 2027.