Wike: PDP Must Rebuild, Resolve Crises to Win Presidency

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said it will be difficult for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to win the presidency unless it rebuilds its internal structures and resolves lingering crises.

Wike spoke during a media chat on Thursday, where he argued that political parties cannot win the presidency without first putting their house in order and strengthening grassroots structures.

He also criticized the growing narrative that Nigeria’s democracy depends on the participation of a few prominent opposition figures.

“The only way people now say there is democracy is if the ADC or PDP participate in the election,” Wike said. “Democracy, for us in Nigeria, has now been defined by whether Atiku participates or whether Peter Obi participates. 

“If they don’t participate, people say there is no democracy. Democracy is not about only Atiku contesting or only Peter Obi contesting.”

Wike acknowledged that the PDP has challenges and said rebuilding ahead of a presidential election would be difficult.

“I have told you that PDP had a problem. Having that problem is not easy. To put yourself back to winning the presidential election is not an easy task,” he said.

“You are not even talking about ward elections; it is difficult. What is more paramount to us is to build the party, show what you can do at the state level, get the ones you have built and put the pieces together.”

Speaking on the challenges facing the opposition, Wike said it would be unrealistic for any party to expect to win the presidency without adequate preparation.

“You have not even put your house in order, yet you want to win a presidential election,” he said. “Do you know what it takes to have structures in all 36 states? Do you know what it takes to campaign across the country? Is it a two-month programme? It’s not.”

According to him, political parties should focus on building structures from the grassroots and improving performance in state elections before targeting the presidency.

“What is more paramount to us Nigerians? Build a party, see what you can do at the state level, get the votes you can get, put your pieces together, then prepare,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor also dismissed allegations that he was working for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

“Was I not the one who was accused of being an agent of APC? Those who accused me, where are they? I am still here,” Wike said. “Everybody knows what I have said. I have not hidden it, and I have told our party, ‘Let’s put our house in order.’”

Wike maintained that success in presidential elections requires long-term planning and strong political structures.

“Do you know what it takes to have structures in 36 states? Even people who want to run for governor in their own state know the amount of planning involved. It is not an easy thing,” he said.