Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has warned that selfish interests may destroy the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that the party stands no chance of winning the 2027 elections.
The minister issued the warning during his monthly media chat with selected journalists in Abuja, on Monday.
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He emphasised that leadership was key, adding that failure to demonstrate proper leadership would have consequences for the opposition party.
“When people talk about the governor of Delta State and his predecessor moving out of PDP to APC, what wrong did he do? That he said he was going to support Tinubu, that was the crime?
“But the Chairman of the BoT, who is the conscience of the party, adopted Otti for a second tenure. Why are people not commenting about that? The Chairman of PDP BoT adopted Alex Otti, governor under Labour Party, for a second tenure.
“No opposition party allows impunity; it’s only the ruling party. Opposition is supposed to organise itself to take over the affairs of government. How many times have they made efforts? How many people have you wooed? Rather, they are after Wike. They abandoned what they are supposed to do—the only crime is that Wike is a minister under APC government.
“I am the only former governor who did not support the presidential candidate but made sure PDP won 100 percent in the governorship, State Assembly, and National Assembly. Let any sitting governor or former governor come out to say that happened in their states,” he said.
The minister warned that Nigerians will be on the watch out for what will happen if the PDP failed to be cautious, noting that selfish interest can kill an organisation.
“You have not won an election, but you are excluding people. You want to play the same game you played in 2023; it will backfire. I have told people that this smartness will not help you. Wike is telling you now to stop this smartness,” he warned.
The FCT minister also described the defection of former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “smart move,” expressing surprise that the PDP failed to foresee it.
“If you do not show leadership, you suffer for it. This is what I have been saying. When people talk about the governor of Delta State and his deputy and all his team moving out of PDP to APC, what wrong did he do? He said he was going to support the President. That is the crime.
“But the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the conscience of the party, adopted Alex Otti for a second tenure. Why are people not commenting about that?
“He adopted the governor under Labour Party to go for a second term. Now, this man said, ‘Look, I am not going to do that kind of pretense. I will not be here and go and support him.’ Smart politician.
“I am surprised that PDP said they didn’t see it coming. I won’t call the names of the governors. I call them. I said, ‘Listen, the way things are going, I have warned you people.’ You said they are governors. I have no problem. Let’s see what will happen,” he said.