“PDP Pillar or Pariah? Wike Insists No One Can Oust Him from the Party”

Abuja, Nigeria —  The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly reiterated his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), brushing aside any suggestion of expulsion or betrayal. Speaking during a live media chat with journalists in Abuja on Monday, Wike emphasized that his loyalty and contributions to the PDP remain unmatched.

Wike, who previously served as Governor of Rivers State, boldly challenged critics and internal party dissenters, asserting that no individual in the PDP has the authority or moral ground to expel him. “I am still in PDP. I worked hard for the party. I have not seen anybody who will have the guts to tell me, ‘Wike, you are not a member of the party.’ Who is that? What is his contribution to the party that is more than me?” he questioned.

Wike’s statement comes at a time of intense political scrutiny and friction within the PDP ranks, particularly following the 2023 general elections which saw internal divisions, most notably Wike’s opposition to his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

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PDP Loyalty: Wike Defends His Legacy

With “P” as the keyword, Party loyalty became the central theme of Wike’s address. He emphasized that his political journey, particularly during his tenure as Rivers Governor, significantly elevated the PDP’s status both in his state and nationally. Wike outlined numerous developmental projects, political campaigns, and strategic electoral victories that he led, suggesting his role was indispensable.

However, his bold pronouncement drew a stark line between himself and other elder statesmen of the party. Wike particularly targeted Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP and ex-Military Governor of Ondo State, who recently accused him of undermining the party’s integrity and national cohesion.

Reacting to George’s criticisms, Wike dismissed the allegations as baseless and self-serving. “Bode George should be reading newspapers in his house, not discussing my relevance,” Wike retorted. He also argued that George had failed to secure any major electoral success for the PDP in Lagos State, unlike himself who “kept the PDP afloat and victorious in Rivers.”

The bitter exchange reflects deeper tensions within the PDP, a party grappling with internal restructuring and rebranding as it seeks to regain its footing ahead of future elections. While Bode George and others accuse Wike of straying from party ideals, Wike maintains that his pragmatic political approach is what has kept the PDP visible and operational in critical regions.

A Battle for Influence and Direction

Political analysts see Wike’s declarations as more than a rebuttal to George. They interpret it as a power play in the party’s internal leadership struggle. Wike’s alliance with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government, especially in his role as FCT Minister under President Bola Tinubu, has led some to question his PDP commitment.

Despite these affiliations, Wike insists he has never officially defected, emphasizing that holding a ministerial position does not equate to party disloyalty. “Being in Tinubu’s cabinet does not mean I am no longer PDP. The constitution allows it, and I accepted the call to serve Nigeria, not any party ideology,” he noted.

Critics, however, argue that Wike’s public alignment with the APC-led government while claiming PDP membership sends a confusing message to voters and stakeholders.

Nonetheless, Wike continues to frame his actions as a strategic loyalty to Nigeria first, not necessarily a betrayal of his political home. His unapologetic tone and pointed remarks toward party elders suggest a confidence rooted in influence and legacy, not consensus or unity.

As the PDP navigates this ongoing internal turbulence, the party’s ability to resolve conflicts and establish a unified front remains in question. Wike’s enduring defiance—combined with his history of high-stakes political gambits—guarantees that he will remain a central figure in Nigeria’s political drama for the foreseeable future.

Whether his version of loyalty resonates with the party’s leadership or fractures it further is a decision only time, and perhaps the next electoral season, will reveal.