The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed rumors suggesting he plans to impose a weak candidate as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in order to aid President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Speculations had circulated that Wike intended to install a loyalist at the PDP’s upcoming national convention, with the aim of aligning the party with the interests of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu.
Addressing these claims during a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike denied harboring any malicious agenda against the PDP.
He said, “That’s not true. If I had any negative intentions, I wouldn’t be raising these concerns. I’m only highlighting issues to caution the party about the direction it’s heading. I’m saying we should make sacrifices—let the current chairman complete his term. Someone who doesn’t care wouldn’t be doing this.”
Wike also commented on allegations of supporting Tinubu: “Do you want the South to support Tinubu? Yes. Haven’t I campaigned for him before? That’s not news.”
The PDP has recently been facing internal divisions, with Atiku Abubakar, the party’s former presidential candidate, announcing a new opposition coalition alongside Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, with the goal of unseating Tinubu in the next election.
In response, the PDP Governors’ Forum has distanced itself from Atiku’s new alliance, signaling further rifts within the opposition party.