For months, Nigerians have watched the drama between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The big question remains: why is Wike still in the PDP if he no longer believes in the party’s leadership and direction? Instead of walking away, Wike has stayed back to fight endless battles with the party hierarchy.
His Open Support for Tinubu
What makes this more complicated is that Wike is no longer hiding his admiration for President Bola Tinubu and his support for the APC ahead of 2027. He has praised Tinubu publicly, defended him in interviews, and even attacked his own party for decisions that don’t favour his loyalists. In reality, Wike is more aligned with the APC than the PDP, yet he insists on remaining within the PDP structure.
The Trouble Within
Recently, Wike rejected the South-South caretaker committee and openly threatened fresh crisis if his ally, Dan Orbih, is not recognised as the South-South National Vice Chairman. His words were clear: “If they don’t agree, that’s another round of crisis.” For many within the PDP, this sounds less like loyalty and more like sabotage.
The PDP Governors’ Forum has already warned him and others not to derail the party’s national convention in Ibadan scheduled for November 15, 2025. But Wike has shown that he is willing to keep shaking the table, even if it damages the party’s unity.
Why Not Just Leave?
Many Nigerians are asking: if Wike is truly done with the PDP, why doesn’t he just move to the APC? After all, his relationship with President Tinubu is no secret. He sits in an APC cabinet as FCT minister, and he has stopped pretending about where his loyalty lies. By staying in the PDP, he creates confusion and weakens the opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Future of PDP With Wike Inside
The reality is that Wike’s continued stay in the PDP leaves the party in constant turmoil. Instead of focusing on building a strong opposition against the APC, the PDP spends more time dealing with Wike’s internal battles. If this continues, the party’s national convention may once again be overshadowed by drama rather than unity.
Wike and the PDP have reached a toxic point. He loves Tinubu, he supports APC policies, and he openly challenges PDP leaders. The truth is simple: he should either stay loyal to his party or leave for the APC where his political heart already belongs. Anything short of that will only keep the PDP in crisis as 2027 draws closer.
