Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has issued a stark warning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging it to avoid repeating the errors of the 2023 elections.
During a media interaction on Monday, Wike insisted that the opposition party must not zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the north. “Why not, as a party, come out openly and say our presidential candidate will come from the south?” Wike challenged.
He accused the PDP of attempting to repeat its 2023 strategy, warning that such an approach would fail. “You don’t want to do that. You want to play the same game you played in 2023. It will backfire,” he said.
“This smartness won’t help you. Come out now and let everybody know where you are heading. You can’t send the presidency to the north. I told them. Selfishness can kill a system.”
Wike also raised concerns about future political dynamics, arguing that if President Bola Tinubu wins re-election in 2027, the All Progressives Congress (APC) would likely zone its next ticket to the north in 2031—forcing the PDP into a disadvantageous position.
“PDP will do what then? You will come back then and say since APC is sending it to the north, let’s give the north our presidential ticket. What kind of smartness is that?” he questioned.
Though not explicitly naming anyone, Wike’s remarks seemed aimed at former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, who has repeatedly expressed his intention to keep contesting the presidency.
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