The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing the party’s governors of working to destroy the opposition. He also criticized the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for its handling of internal matters, particularly over plans to hold another South-South Zonal Congress.
In a media session held in Abuja on Wednesday, March 12, Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, made strong allegations about the actions of PDP governors. He claimed that these governors were prioritizing their personal ambitions over the survival of the party. According to Wike, the current set of governors in the PDP had no commitment to the party’s growth or long-term success.
“This is a set of governors that want PDP to die. Their only interest is to kill PDP,” Wike said during the interview. He recalled his tenure as governor of Rivers State when the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) tried to destroy the PDP under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Wike explained that during that period, he stood firm, refusing to seek help from the government or back down.
“Back then, I never went to the Villa (the Presidential Palace), never begged for help. I even stopped attending National Executive Committee (NEC) and Council of State meetings because I feared for my life. But I was determined that PDP would survive,” Wike recalled.
He accused certain PDP leaders of being two-faced, saying they said one thing in public and did something entirely different in private. Wike was particularly critical of the behavior of the governors and their lack of clarity in their political dealings.
“Forget about these people who say one thing in the day and do another thing at night,” Wike remarked, adding that he had always been transparent in his political dealings. Referring to the 2023 presidential primaries, he said, “I never asked for money or conditions. My belief was that the presidency should go to the South. I knew who was likely to win, so I played my game openly.”
He then turned his attention to the ongoing issue within the party, specifically the South-South Zonal Congress. Wike called out the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) for attempting to organize another zonal congress despite an earlier one already being held. He accused the NWC of lacking leadership and credibility.
“Now look at how they are behaving. The congress has been held, yet they want to create problems. That’s why I say the NWC is stupid. Yes, I said it – stupid NWC!” he said.
The FCT Minister further criticized the PDP for its fixation on internal power struggles instead of focusing on more important issues, such as strengthening the opposition and offering a clear alternative to the ruling APC. He expressed frustration that the party was consumed by trivial matters while failing to address critical concerns.
“All they are interested in is the zonal congress. Rubbish! PDP needs to wake up,” Wike said. Despite the sharp language, he dared the party leadership to challenge him.
“What will they do? When they don’t have credibility? I didn’t call their names, but they know themselves,” he added.
Wike’s remarks also extended to the governors of the PDP, accusing them of failing to act as a unified and strong opposition force. Instead, he argued, they were engaged in selfish political games. He warned that if the governors continued down this path, he would expose their individual roles in the party’s current struggles.
“Instead of thinking about how to strengthen the opposition, every governor is playing their own game. Let them challenge me – I will tell them one by one the roles they are playing,” Wike threatened.
Among the governors he singled out for criticism was the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State. Wike implied that Mohammed was also part of the internal struggles that were hurting the party. He questioned whether these governors truly had the party’s best interests at heart.
Wike’s comments come amid widespread speculation about his possible defection from the PDP to the ruling APC. However, Wike was clear that he had no intention of leaving the PDP, despite his frustrations with its leadership. He made it clear that he was ready to fight for the survival of the party from within.
“If I decide to move to APC, I will tell you. But I don’t run from fights. I’m not leaving this party,” Wike stated firmly. He also claimed that the governors, despite having access to financial resources, were not using those resources to benefit the PDP.
Wike did not hold back when addressing other PDP leaders, particularly those in the South-East region. He took aim at Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, accusing him of trying to impose his leadership on the South-East without making the necessary sacrifices to back his claims. Wike pointed out that despite Mbah’s ambitions to lead the South-East, the PDP had failed to field a gubernatorial candidate in Anambra State, a critical state in the region.
“Look at Enugu Governor. He wants to be the leader of the South-East, and I agree with that. But as a leader, you must make sacrifices. Today, nobody bought a PDP governorship form in Anambra. How can you claim leadership of PDP in the region when you can’t even field a candidate in a state like Anambra?” Wike asked.
Wike’s strong statements have drawn attention across the country, as the PDP faces internal divisions and external challenges in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. His remarks highlight growing concerns about the party’s ability to unite and present a strong opposition to the APC, which has dominated Nigerian politics in recent years.
The crisis within the PDP has left many wondering about the party’s future, especially with key figures like Wike openly questioning the leadership and direction of the party. His accusations against the governors and the NWC will likely add fuel to the ongoing debate about the PDP’s survival and its ability to regain power at the federal level.
As the political landscape continues to shift, it remains to be seen how the PDP will respond to Wike’s challenges and whether the party can resolve its internal conflicts in time to present a credible challenge in future elections.
