August 5, 2025 — Lagos, Nigeria
The South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally distanced itself from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following his public endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 — a move widely seen as a betrayal of the party’s core interests.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor and prominent figure within the PDP, stirred controversy last week after expressing support for President Tinubu, who hails from the rival All Progressives Congress (APC). His comments have deepened the already simmering tensions within the PDP, particularly as the party attempts to rebuild ahead of the next general election.
In a strongly worded statement, the South-West PDP leadership said Wike’s recent political posture is “at complete variance with the ideals and direction of the party.” The group emphasised that loyalty to the PDP must be unwavering and expressed concern over what it described as Wike’s “blatant undermining” of party unity.
“As far as the South-West PDP is concerned, the minister’s actions and utterances no longer reflect the principles of our collective struggle,” the statement read.
Adding fuel to the fire, Wike reportedly issued a list of demands for reconciliation with the PDP leadership. Chief among them was a call for the reversal of key decisions made by the National Working Committee (NWC), including the contentious removal of Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman (South-South). Orbih, a known Wike ally, was recently suspended amid internal party restructuring moves, which Wike views as politically motivated.
Sources close to the minister say Wike has insisted that the PDP leadership must correct what he described as a “deliberate targeting of key stakeholders,” if they hope to regain the confidence of aggrieved members.
But the South-West PDP appears unimpressed. “The time for political blackmail and personal negotiations at the expense of party discipline is over,” one senior party figure told reporters. “This is no longer about individuals. It’s about the survival and credibility of the PDP.”
Analysts say the rift could have significant implications for the PDP’s national cohesion and strategy as it heads into 2027. Wike, once a presidential aspirant and kingmaker within the party, now finds himself increasingly isolated as factions harden their positions.
Despite the backlash, Wike remains defiant. In a recent media chat, he defended his position, saying he supported Tinubu “based on performance, not politics,” and criticised the PDP for failing to engage in meaningful opposition.
As the PDP navigates these turbulent waters, many within the party are calling for an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to address what some are now describing as an existential crisis
