Wike Speaks on Contesting Against Tinubu in 2027 if PDP Zones Presidency to the South

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ruled out any plan to contest against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, even if his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), zones the presidency to the South.

Wike made the statement in an interview with BBC Pidgin, published on Saturday. He said he is working with Tinubu and would not run against him.

“I will not contest again, I should contest against somebody I’m working with? Who would win it if not him (Tinubu)?” Wike said.

He also said he will not leave the PDP despite his role in the current APC-led administration.

“I can’t do that, I’m not afraid – how will I build a house and you now ask me to vacate the place?

“It’s you that will leave the house, not me that built it. You want to spoil a house that I built, I won’t allow you. I won’t leave, I will remain there,” he said.

Speaking further on internal party issues, Wike criticized PDP leaders in the South-East who have reportedly threatened to leave the party if Samuel Anyanwu, a Wike ally, is recognised as National Secretary.

He said: “The one that pains me is the threats from them (South-East PDP). Let me ask you, who is there? Achike Udenwa who is a former governor of Imo and has no single National Assembly member, he didn’t give his party three percent of votes, yet is threatening.

“Sam Egwu, former Ebonyi State governor, has no National Assembly member and did not produce a governor, yet is threatening – he is empty – which threat is he issuing?

“We that have produced governor, National Assembly members have not issued any threat. It’s you that can’t give your party three percent that is threatening.”

When asked about PDP zoning the presidency to the South, Wike said: “I have told them that if they zone, when we get to the bridge, we will cross it. But they are fraudulent and I have told them that it will kill them.”