Wike Criticises PDP Over Internal Crisis, Declares Support for Pro-Tinubu Candidates
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has asserted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed to learn from its ongoing internal political crises. Speaking during his first monthly media parley for 2026 in Abuja, Wike also unequivocally stated his intention to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in the 2027 elections.
Wike, a former two-term Governor of Rivers State and a long-time influential figure within the PDP, offered a stark assessment of his former party’s current state. “As it is today, my party seems to have not learned,” he remarked, referencing the factional disputes and leadership turmoil that have persistently plagued the opposition party.
His criticism was coupled with a clarified political stance regarding the next general election. Wike explained that his support will be directed towards candidates, irrespective of their political party, who demonstrate commitment to President Tinubu’s administration. “I didn’t beat around the bush when I said that as a minister, my party never asked me about the candidates they were planning to put forward, and I made it clear that I would only support candidates who backed the president,” he stated.
He further elaborated to avoid misunderstanding, saying, “I never said I would support that particular party, but I did say I would support candidates who are in favor of the Mr President, regardless of which party they are from. That’s where I’m going to focus my support.” This approach, he noted, resolves any conflict about his allegiance, stating, “So the problem of me being part of a group that’s working for another group doesn’t come up.”
Wike’s comments underscore the deepening rift within the PDP and highlight the complex alliances forming ahead of the 2027 elections. His position as a cabinet minister in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, while still a registered PDP member, exemplifies the fluidity of Nigeria’s political landscape. The minister’s refusal to automatically back his party’s candidates signals a potential weakening of party discipline and suggests policy alignment and presidential endorsement may now supersede traditional party loyalty for some key actors.
The significance of Wike’s declaration lies in its reflection of two major trends: the PDP’s struggle to present a united front after consecutive electoral defeats, and the incumbent government’s efforts to consolidate support across regional and party lines for a second-term mandate. His stance may encourage other dissenting voices within opposition parties to publicly condition their support on alignment with the presidency, potentially reshaping campaign dynamics for the 2027 polls. The PDP has yet to respond officially to Wike’s remarks.
