Come 2027, PDP is set to present a contender for the presidency and other positions, according to Wike

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has allayed fears about the future of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, affirming that the party remains a formidable force capable of fielding candidates for the presidency and other elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

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During a media chat in Abuja on Friday, Wike confirmed that the PDP would indeed field candidates from the presidency down to the lowest elective position, emphasizing that the party's viability is more crucial than merely fielding candidates for the sake of it.

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Wike defended President Bola Tinubu against criticisms surrounding his recent visit to Plateau State to commiserate with victims of the Palm Sunday killings, arguing that the president's decision to cancel a prior engagement to visit the state demonstrated his genuine concern for the victims.

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He criticized those who questioned why the president did not spend the night in Jos, describing such narratives as a demeaning reduction of the presidency, and instead highlighted the president's actions as a testament to his empathy, saying "He did not only say ‘I will go’. He went there."

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Wike expressed dismay at media commentaries suggesting the president's visit lacked empathy due to his decision not to stay overnight, and rhetorically asked if the president was expected to sleep with each of the families in their houses to demonstrate his sympathy.

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He argued that the president's actions, rather than his duration of stay, were what truly mattered, and that the focus should be on the concrete steps taken to address the security situation, rather than mere optics.

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Addressing the security situation, Wike maintained that President Tinubu is committed to ending banditry, acknowledging that fighting terrorism is a global challenge that requires concerted effort.

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He emphasized that the president is taking concrete steps to address the insecurity, and that it is unfair to suggest that he is not doing enough, given the complexities of fighting terrorism.

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Wike reflected on his own political journey, noting that politics has a way of revealing a person's true character, particularly when they are given power and money, and that it is only when individuals are vested with such authority that their true nature is exposed.

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He drew parallels between the current APC-led government's alleged attempts to stifle the opposition and his own experiences under the previous administration, recalling the legal and political battles to save the PDP from the leadership of Ali Modu Sheriff.

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Wike claimed that the APC under the Buhari government had attempted to destroy the PDP by using Modu Sheriff, and that he and his party had faced intense persecution, including harassment by the EFCC and the SSS.

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He dismissed current complaints from opposition figures as "lies" and excuses, stating that in politics, the ruling party will always look for loopholes to exploit, and that the opposition should not expect special treatment.