The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the readmission of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into its fold.

 

Speaking during his monthly live media chat on Monday, Wike described such a move as “political suicide” that could obliterate what remains of the PDP’s credibility as a major opposition party.

 

The minister, who has consistently criticized the party’s leadership for neglecting zoning and equity, argued that bringing Obi back into the PDP would deepen existing cracks and send the wrong signal to Nigerians.

 

“From day one, I told my colleagues, ‘PDP, you are shooting yourself. If you allow what is going on to continue, you’ll pay. You cannot have the presidential candidate at the same time as the national chairman of the party,” Wike said, recalling how the party’s refusal to balance power between the North and South contributed to its defeat in the 2023 elections.

 

He accused the PDP leadership of arrogance, saying their disregard for equity was the reason the party “purged” itself at the polls. “It is better now that you have stolen the presidential ticket, and again stolen the national chairman. I said it will purge you. And it really purged them. I have no regret for it,” he said.

 

Turning to Obi, Wike questioned the wisdom of reabsorbing a politician who, according to him, once vilified the PDP. “To what? Bringing Obi to where? You want to kill the party? Obi, who was abusing the party, saying it is rotten—so the party is now good enough for him? Ambition can make people even go to Satan’s house,” he said.

 

The former Rivers State governor accused Obi of lacking character and consistency, stressing that his return would only be driven by personal ambition rather than principle. “If you want to destroy this party, dare it, bring Obi. There is no way he will come back just because of ambition. No more ideology, no longer principle,” Wike insisted.

 

He further accused Obi of being deceitful in his promise to govern for only four years, branding such a pledge as a ploy to hoodwink Nigerians. “Obi does not have character and can never be trusted. His decision to say he would rule for four years is deceitful,” Wike declared.

 

The minister maintained that the only viable path for the PDP to reclaim national relevance is a strict commitment to zoning, equity, and justice, ensuring that the presidential ticket rotates fairly between the North and South. According to him, anything short of this would spell doom for the opposition party.

 

Wike’s remarks come amid growing speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with reports suggesting that some PDP leaders are open to reconciling with Obi, who left the party in 2022 to pursue his presidential bid under the Labour Party.

 

Political observers say Wike’s position reflects ongoing tensions within the PDP, where questions of leadership, loyalty, and zoning continue to dominate internal debates. For now, his stern warning underscores the delicate balance the party must navigate as it considers its strategy for the future.