The party said Wike’s political activities over the years had contributed to repeated leadership crises within the PDP, particularly since his tenure as governor of Rivers State.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said recent public statements by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have reinforced concerns about his loyalty to the opposition party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement on Monday signed by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said Wike’s declaration of support for a presumed All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, while remaining a member of the PDP, highlighted a pattern of anti-party conduct.
The party said Wike’s political activities over the years had contributed to repeated leadership crises within the PDP, particularly since his tenure as governor of Rivers State.
“Since he assumed power as Governor in Rivers State in 2015, Wike has been a recurrent troublemaker in the leadership of the PDP. From the Sheriff era, where he was a forerunner in the Sheriff-for-National Chairman movement and later turned to fight and remove Sheriff; later he championed the Uche Secondus-for-National Chairman movement (in fact, he granted a very combustible interview that polarised the party just before the convention) and then was the same person fighting to remove Secondus.
“The same Wike led the movement to produce Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman against the advice of many party leaders, and so soon thereafter, it was Wike again who led the Ayu-must-go struggle.”
The statement said similar issues were evident in Rivers State during his administration.
“Beyond the national leadership crises, his actions within Rivers State further illustrate this pattern. The imposition of candidates, internal exclusionary practices, and the unprecedented prevention of a duly nominated PDP presidential candidate from campaigning in a PDP-controlled state remain troubling departures from democratic norms.”
The party said Wike’s political style had been characterised by frequent disputes within the party.
“Wike’s politics thrives on perpetual conflict, feeding on attention and seeking relevance through calculated disruption and when starved of attention, seeks to destroy everything.”
According to the PDP, Wike’s recent media interview reflected wider political tensions.
“All through the interview, Minister Wike showed obvious signs of fear of losing the attention of the President, his slipping grip of Rivers State, and his frustration with the unbending nature of the true leadership of the PDP at the national level.”
The party said recent alignments indicated a shift away from the PDP’s interests.
“The cumulative effect of these actions is a deliberate creation of tension and division, often deployed as leverage to advance narrow political objectives. Recent public statements and alignments now make clear that Wike and his group of friends have openly chosen to work against the PDP’s collective interest in favour of an opposing political platform.”
It added that Wike had openly declared support for the APC in the presidential election.
“Now that the mask of his pretence is off and he has stated that he and his group of friends (Sam Anyanwu and co.) will support the President and the APC in the Presidential elections, Nigerians are now clearly aware of their disposition to destroy the PDP as a part of their bargain to support the President-a clandestine agreement reached for their selfish reasons. We remind Wike that as a lawyer, he knows that agreements made to achieve an illegal purpose are not enforceable and should not be encouraged.”
Reaffirming its position ahead of the next election cycle, the party said it remained focused on its preparations.
“We assure Nigerians that the PDP will field a credible Presidential Candidate who will receive the massive support of Nigerians and will go on to win the presidential elections in 2027. Our party is the Peoples Democratic Party, and no one person has the capacity to personalise the party.”
The statement concluded by noting ongoing efforts by the party leadership.
“The Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee is working around the clock to rebuild the party, clear the issues in court, and prepare the party for electoral success come 2027.”