Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has strongly criticised the idea of forming a political coalition to remove President Bola Tinubu in 2027. He described the move as selfish and not sincere.
Wike made this known during a media chat in Abuja on Friday. He accused the promoters of the coalition, especially Atiku Abubakar and other politicians, of ignoring the real problems in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said they are more concerned about personal power than the future of the party.
According to Wike, “Those who are looking for a coalition are for selfish interests, the likes of Atiku and other people, which coalition, with whom?”
Fix PDP first before seeking power, Wike warns
Wike, who served as governor of Rivers State, said the priority of any true party member should be to rebuild the PDP. He warned that power-hungry leaders are destroying the chances of the party in future elections. He stressed that rebuilding the party should come before trying to win elections or form alliances.
In his words, “Why not come in to repair your party? Everybody wants to become president of the country. Nobody wants to say, ‘Let me build our party so that at the end of the day, our party will be in a formidable position as an opposition party to take over power.’”
He added, “You don’t do that, the only thing you want to do is find a way to be the one, and if that does not happen, then it’s ‘to your tent, oh Israel.’”
PDP not ready for 2027, Wike says
Wike further declared that the PDP is not ready for the 2027 presidential election. He used a simple example to show how unserious the party appears to be.
“The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious. For instance, I have an examination and I am going to class to read. Indeed, am I reading? Am I studying? You don’t need to deceive anybody that you are reading. You are only trying to read so that people will see that you have carried your bag to class,” he said.
He described the current state of the PDP as chaotic and full of power struggles. He believes that these same mistakes led to the party’s failure in the 2023 elections and may continue if nothing changes.
“You make the mistake yesterday, you want to repeat the same mistake today, tomorrow you make the same mistake, and then you come out to say you were rigged out. Who rigged you out? You’ve already rigged yourself by causing crisis,” he said.
Wike dismisses 2027 coalition plan
Wike’s statements have added to the ongoing debate over the PDP’s future and its ability to challenge President Tinubu in 2027. By calling the 2027 coalition selfish and questioning Atiku’s leadership, Wike has sent a strong message to the party’s top figures. He believes that only a strong, united PDP can win power, not one divided by selfish ambitions.
