The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday held a frank and wide-ranging media parley in Abuja, addressing both political and governance issues, including the internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defection controversies, and the state of development in the FCT.
Wike, who spoke for over two hours, warned PDP governors and stakeholders against excluding him and other founding members from key consultations and decision-making processes. He said such deliberate sidelining would only hasten the party’s collapse.
“Are you telling me that because I am not a governor, I should not be part of PDP consultations?” he asked. “If they continue to sideline critical stakeholders, the burial of the PDP is near.”
He dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind the opposition’s internal troubles, insisting that the PDP’s crisis was self-inflicted.
“All this talk about APC is rubbish. The real problem is inside the PDP. It is our own mistakes that are killing the party,” Wike said.
Wike expressed frustration over the party’s failure to conduct congresses and internal reforms ahead of its national convention. He noted that the lack of proper coordination could deepen the PDP’s disunity and erode its relevance before the 2027 general elections.
While reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP, the FCT Minister maintained that loyalty must not translate into silence in the face of poor leadership.
“I’m a founding member of this party. You can’t hold meetings and pretend I don’t exist. I’ve sacrificed too much to allow anyone to bury the PDP while I watch,” he added.
Beyond party politics, Wike addressed issues concerning governance in the Federal Capital Territory. He explained that his administration could not solve all developmental challenges at once, stressing that government is a continuous process.
“We cannot solve every problem as far as development is concerned. Government is a continuum. There were several administrations before we came,” he stated.
The minister also spoke on reports suggesting that former President Goodluck Jonathan was under pressure to contest the 2027 presidential election, clarifying that Jonathan had never mentioned any such ambition to him.
“President Jonathan has never told me he has any 2027 presidential ambition. People should stop spreading what they don’t know,” Wike clarified.
He further described the defection of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, from the PDP as an “embarrassment” and another indication of the opposition’s internal disarray.
The parley, which attracted journalists from national and international media houses, also highlighted the minister’s commitment to ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, as he reaffirmed that his focus remains on delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration within the FCT.
Why This Matters
Wike’s comments signal renewed tension within the PDP and reaffirm his influence as one of its most vocal figures. His strong statements against exclusion and internal mismanagement may reshape the party’s strategy heading into 2027, while his remarks on FCT governance show a determination to balance politics with performance
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