In a bold declaration that may reshape Nigeria’s political landscape, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has announced his intention to spearhead the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) campaign for the 2027 presidential election, despite currently serving in President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.
The former Rivers State governor made this unexpected revelation during a media engagement in Abuja on Monday, where he fiercely defended his PDP membership amid growing criticism from party loyalists. “I am still in PDP. I worked hard for the party,” Wike asserted with defiance. “I have not seen anybody who has the guts to tell me, ‘Wike, you are not a member of the party.’ Who is that? What is his contribution to the party that is more than me?”
Wike’s declaration comes as the PDP grapples with internal divisions following his controversial decision to accept a cabinet position under Tinubu after the 2023 elections.
Undeterred by accusations of betrayal, the outspoken politician doubled down on his commitment to the opposition party: “No one will take me from the party. I’m a member. In fact, I’ll lead the PDP campaign in Rivers by 2027.”
The FCT Minister also offered insights into his governance philosophy, revealing his penchant for challenging established power structures. “I take joy when I step on the toes of big men; those who say nothing will happen but I say something will happen. It makes me happy,” he said, explaining his disruptive approach to administering the capital territory. “All they want me to do is to make decisions against poor people saying nothing will happen to them but I say something will happen. That is why we’re making results.”
Addressing the political turmoil in his home state, Wike denied any personal rift with Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, though he expressed reservations about the state of emergency declaration. “I don’t have any crisis with Fubara. I am not the president who declared the state of emergency. If Mr. President had called me that time, I wouldn’t have agreed on a state of emergency,” he clarified.
Wike’s latest pronouncements add another layer of complexity to Nigeria’s evolving political dynamics, as the influential politician appears determined to maintain dual allegiances while positioning himself as a kingmaker ahead of the next general elections. His vow to lead PDP’s campaign while serving in an APC government sets the stage for potentially unprecedented political realignments in the coming years.
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