Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has announced that he will not run in the 2027 presidential election against President Bola Tinubu. He affirmed his continued membership in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In an interview with news sources, he stated, ‘I will not contest again. I cannot contest against someone I’m working with. Who would win, if not him?’ Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, previously sought the PDP nomination for the 2023 presidential election but lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s decision not to allocate its presidential ticket to the South, which contributed to an internal crisis that negatively impacted the party’s electoral performance. The Independent National Electoral Commission declared President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as the election winner.
During the interview, Wike also criticized certain leaders within the opposition party but reiterated his commitment to the PDP. He remarked, ‘Let me ask you? Who is in the PDP? Achike Udenwa, a former governor of Imo, does not have one National Assembly member. He did not give his party three percent of the votes. The former governor of Ebonyi State does not have one assembly member; he does not have one National Assembly member. You did not produce a governor, you are issuing threats. What are you threatening? You are empty. I cannot do that kind of thing (defect). I am not a fearful man. Am I a weak man? How will I build a house, and you will come and frustrate me to leave? Who will leave? You will leave; I will not allow you to spoil the house I built. I will remain.’
The PDP has experienced a wave of defections from several prominent members, including the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy, and various members of the House of Assembly and state executive council.He was accompanied by his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who served as the vice presidential candidate for the PDP in the 2023 presidential election. Additionally, three senior members of the party transitioned to the APC: Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central; Yahaya Abdullahi from Kebbi North; and Garba Maidoki from Kebbi South.
