Wike Creates Crises to Stay Relevant in Political Space, PDP Claims

The Peoples Democratic Party has launched a scathing response to comments credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of openly aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress while still laying claim to PDP membership.

In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said Wike’s recent end-of-year media chat, where he described himself as the “number one supporter” of the presumed APC presidential candidate for 2027, confirmed the long-standing basis for his expulsion from the party over anti-party activities.

The party described Wike as a “permanent agent provocateur,” arguing that his public endorsement of an opposition platform while remaining within the PDP amounts to a clear example of political adventurism that undermines democratic values.

According to the PDP, Wike’s posture is neither surprising nor new, as he has consistently thrived on conflict and internal disruption to advance personal political interests.

Tracing his political history, the party recalled that since becoming Rivers State governor in 2015, Wike had repeatedly played central roles in leadership crises within the PDP.

It noted that he was active during the Ali Modu Sheriff leadership era, later worked to remove Sheriff, then championed the emergence of Uche Secondus as national chairman before also leading efforts against him.

The statement added that Wike similarly backed the emergence of Dr Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman, only to later spearhead the campaign for his removal.

Beyond the national level, the PDP accused Wike of deepening internal divisions in Rivers State through the imposition of candidates, exclusionary practices, and what it described as the unprecedented prevention of a duly nominated PDP presidential candidate from campaigning in a PDP-controlled state.

The party said Wike’s politics is driven by constant confrontation, sustained by attention and relevance, warning that when such attention fades, it often gives way to destructive conduct.

It further claimed that Wike’s media outing revealed anxiety over waning influence in Rivers State, fear of losing presidential favour, and frustration with what it called the firm stance of the PDP’s national leadership.

According to the PDP, the cumulative effect of Wike’s actions has been the deliberate creation of tension and division, now culminating in what it described as an open decision by Wike and his associates to work against the party’s collective interest in favour of the APC.

The statement said his admission of support for the President and the ruling party exposed what it termed a clandestine arrangement aimed at weakening the PDP for selfish political 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,” the party stated, insisting that no individual has the capacity to personalise or hijack the PDP.

Reassuring Nigerians, the party said it remains focused on rebuilding and repositioning ahead of the 2027 elections. It expressed confidence that the PDP would present a credible presidential candidate capable of securing widespread national support and electoral victory.