A political clash has erupted between Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over the controversial collapse of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) zoning policy in the run-up to the 2023 presidential election.
Wike recently accused Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and others of sabotaging the PDP’s traditional North-South rotation agreement.
However, Eze has dismissed Wike’s claims as “lies from the pit of hell,” insisting that Wike himself orchestrated the collapse of the party’s zoning framework.
In a statement, Eze said it was Wike’s ambition to secure the PDP’s presidential ticket that led to the abandonment of zoning in 2022.
“Wike deliberately ignored the truth in his recent interview,” Eze stated.
“It was his dictatorial tendencies and inordinate ambition that caused the PDP to throw open its presidential ticket.”
Eze accused Wike of manipulating party loyalists, including the G-5 governors, to oppose zoning the presidency to the South-East.
He claimed that Wike’s fear of Peter Obi, who was then still a PDP member, pushed him to disrupt the zoning arrangement.
Eze also defended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stating that Atiku had supported zoning the PDP’s presidential ticket to the South-East.
“With Peter Obi in the PDP, Atiku openly declared his willingness to back a South-East candidate,” Eze explained.
“Wike became jittery and started attacking Obi because he knew Atiku had already chosen his preferred candidate.”
According to Eze, Wike’s desperation forced Obi out of the PDP, ultimately paving the way for his move to the Labour Party.
Eze did not hold back in criticizing Wike’s political calculations, describing them as naive and overconfident.
“Wike went on a rampage, boasting that the presidential ticket was his for the taking,” he said.
“Even on the day of the PDP primary, Wike was convinced he would defeat Atiku hands down.”
The result, however, was a humiliating loss for Wike, who not only failed to win the ticket but also missed out on being Atiku’s running mate.
Eze described Wike’s defeat as a “political uppercut” that left him reeling.
The APC chieftain also blamed Wike for the PDP’s loss in the 2023 general election.
He accused Wike and the G-5 governors of working against the party’s interest to satisfy personal grudges.
“Wike’s misguided G-5 group ensured the PDP lost the 2023 election,” Eze said.
“He acted like a rampaging bulldog, determined to destroy the party.”
Eze further alleged that Wike’s current role in the APC government is part of a strategy to undermine the PDP and strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s chances in 2027.
Eze advised the PDP leadership to stop entertaining hopes of reconciliation with Wike.
“The PDP must realize that Wike’s agenda is to destroy the party from within,” he warned.
“Expelling Wike is the only way to save the PDP from further harm.”
Eze accused Wike of betraying the PDP in exchange for a “marriage of convenience” with the APC, which he predicted would end in disaster.
“Wike’s history of betrayal and blackmail will catch up with him,” he added.
Eze also urged Wike to stop dragging Atiku’s name into his political maneuvers.
“Atiku has moved on, but Wike continues to use his name to stay relevant,” Eze said.
“I dare Wike to resign from the APC government and see if he remains significant in Nigerian politics.”
