The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed suggestions of a crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the resignation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting the party remains intact and must respect internal democratic processes.
Speaking during a live media parley in Abuja on Monday, Wike emphasised that the outcome of the recent South-South Zonal Congress—which produced Chief Daniel Orbi as the National Vice Chairman—must be upheld.
“Our South-South Zonal Congress that was held must be upheld. There’s no doubt, no two words about it,” Wike declared.
He condemned efforts to undermine the congress held in Calabar, Cross River State, saying the process was backed by a court ruling and dismissed claims by some PDP leaders that it lacked authorisation.
“Our congress was held in Calabar, and there’s nothing anybody can tell us. The Court allowed for Congress to hold,” he added.
Wike also criticised the party’s acting National Chairman for allegedly opposing the congress, accusing him of working to suppress the will of the South-South members.
“When we were doing our South-South Congress, the Acting National Chairman claimed that PDP governors were not in support. Where are the PDP governors now?” he queried.
Taking aim at Atiku Abubakar, Wike questioned his political consistency and described his exit as driven by diminishing prospects of securing the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
“Atiku was in the PDP in 1999, then he joined AC, then came back, moved to APC, and again to PDP—all to chase presidential tickets. If I were his son, I’d ask him: ‘Dad, why keep hopping parties at almost 80?’” he said.
He accused the former Vice President of orchestrating a coalition merely because he no longer had a viable path within the PDP.
“It is because he cannot get the presidential ticket under the PDP that he pushed for a coalition. That’s not right,” Wike said, dismissing the proposed opposition coalition as “unserious” and unlikely to succeed.
The minister also took a swipe at former Senate President David Mark, who reportedly defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), questioning his legacy as a lawmaker.
“What did David Mark achieve when he was Senate President?” Wike asked rhetorically.
Wike’s remarks come amid heightened political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as opposition parties explore options to challenge President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid.
