Wike slams PDP governors, Atiku over coalition talks, warns of impending 2027 defeat

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition coalition efforts spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, warning that history could repeat itself with another electoral defeat in 2027.

Addressing journalists at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike accused both the PDP Governors Forum and those pushing for a coalition — notably Atiku — of lacking sincerity and being driven by selfish interests rather than a genuine desire to reposition the party for future success.

The former Rivers State governor expressed strong reservations about the recent moves by Atiku, who is championing an initiative to unite opposition parties with the aim of challenging President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Wike criticized the coalition talks as being fundamentally dishonest and warned that the same culture of impunity that cost the PDP the 2023 presidential election was once again taking root within the party.

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“Those who said they want a coalition are not truthful to themselves, and those in the party are not useful; it’s just a matter of personal interest,” Wike said.

He also took direct aim at the PDP Governors Forum, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing them of insincerity. Governor Makinde had earlier distanced the Forum from Atiku’s coalition efforts, stating that the governors were not part of the plan.

Wike revealed that he confronted Makinde after watching his interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today,” challenging the governor’s version of events regarding internal party matters.

“I called Makinde to tell him he wasn’t telling the truth about some issues,” Wike disclosed. “One of the reasons why PDP lost in 2023 was impunity — people who believed they had the power and refused to respect the constitution of the party, particularly on the principle of power rotation between the North and South.”

He warned that the same attitudes are resurfacing, particularly within the Governors Forum, and could doom the party’s 2027 prospects if not urgently addressed.

“If you don’t stop this impunity, it will affect the party again. The Governors Forum is not an official organ of the party; it’s merely a pressure group. Yet, it is trying to influence the National Working Committee, which is very dangerous,” Wike cautioned.

The former presidential aspirants comments highlight growing internal divisions within the PDP as opposition forces attempt to regroup ahead of the next general elections. Whether the party can resolve its internal contradictions and present a united front remains an open question, as 2027 looms ever closer.