The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from a recent meeting convened by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dismissing his perceived influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and prominent figure in the G5 governors’ bloc, hosted selected party figures and allies on Monday in Abuja, where they restated their demand for the party’s presidential ticket to return to the South.
The meeting, which included some PDP members and allies of Wike, has stirred backlash within the party, with various stakeholders describing it as an unauthorized gathering lacking official legitimacy.
In reaction, the Oyo State chapter of the PDP described the meeting as “strange and alien” to the structure and hierarchy of the party.
The state’s Publicity Secretary, Micheal Ogunsina, told The PUNCH that the gathering lacked the authority to represent PDP’s interests or direction.
“The meeting Wike called is for Nyesom Wike’s followers and friends, not concerned PDP stakeholders,” Ogunsina stated, insisting that such informal alliances cannot shape the party’s path to 2027.
Meanwhile, former PDP National Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Tsauri, also weighed in on the development. In an interview with The PUNCH, Tsauri said the party should not expect any genuine commitment from Wike or his associates.
“Whoever is in the PDP and expects to hear anything supportive from Wike and his group as regards the NEC meeting or convention must be deceiving himself,” he said.
Tsauri acknowledged Wike’s contributions to the PDP, especially during its post-2015 struggles, but insisted that his recent posture contradicts loyalty to the party.
“Imagine someone who claims to still be in the PDP but intends to support the presidential candidate of the ruling party in 2027 — what could be worse than that?” Tsauri asked.
He added that the leadership of the PDP had failed to take appropriate disciplinary action against Wike, despite clear signs of disloyalty.
“For us, it’s simple. They may continue to insist, citing constitutional rights, that they remain PDP members. But the truth is, the leadership of the PDP has been compromised. If the leadership were serious, the constitution already provides for disciplinary action, including expulsion. That should have been done by now,” he concluded.
