News

Wike defends PDP loyalty, dares party critics to challenge his membership

Published

1 year ago

on

June 2, 2025

By

Olusegun Odunewu

Wike’s Rants: Beyond The Bounds Of Decency

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a bold response to critics within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that no one in the party possesses the authority or moral grounds to question his continued membership.

Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Monday, Wike reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the PDP, even as he serves in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His comments come amid ongoing scrutiny from party members over his alignment with the ruling party’s administration.

“I am still in the PDP. I worked hard for this party. I have not seen anybody who has the guts to tell me, ‘Wike, you are not a member of the party,’” he stated emphatically.

The former governor of Rivers State did not hold back in addressing what he described as undue criticism from some quarters within the PDP. He challenged his detractors to match his longstanding contributions and sacrifices for the party.

“Who is that person? What has he contributed to the party more than I have?” Wike asked, underscoring his influence and track record within the PDP.

Wike’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions within the opposition party, as it grapples with internal divisions and questions over loyalty among its key figures.

Despite the controversy surrounding his role in the APC-led federal government, Wike maintains that his commitment to the PDP remains intact.

Wike defends PDP loyalty, dares party critics to challenge his membership

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a bold response to critics within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that no one in the party possesses the authority or moral grounds to question his continued membership.

Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Monday, Wike reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the PDP, even as he serves in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His comments come amid ongoing scrutiny from party members over his alignment with the ruling party’s administration.

“I am still in the PDP. I worked hard for this party. I have not seen anybody who has the guts to tell me, ‘Wike, you are not a member of the party,’” he stated emphatically.

The former governor of Rivers State did not hold back in addressing what he described as undue criticism from some quarters within the PDP. He challenged his detractors to match his longstanding contributions and sacrifices for the party.

“Who is that person? What has he contributed to the party more than I have?” Wike asked, underscoring his influence and track record within the PDP.

Wike’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions within the opposition party, as it grapples with internal divisions and questions over loyalty among its key figures.

Despite the controversy surrounding his role in the APC-led federal government, Wike maintains that his commitment to the PDP remains intact.

Related Topics:

Expert urges FG to foster sustainable growth in oil, gas sector amidst lingering challenges

Zenith Bank soars with record growth, digital leap under first female CEO

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply
Cancel reply

Ballon d’Or 2026: The key rules shaping the race for football’s biggest prize

Ballon d’Or 2026: The key rules shaping the race for football’s biggest prize

Football4 days ago

Ballon d’Or 2026: The key rules shaping the race for football’s biggest prize

ISRT 2026: Global experts converge in Lagos to advance cancer care across Africa

ISRT 2026: Global experts converge in Lagos to advance cancer care across Africa

Health3 days ago

ISRT 2026: Global experts converge in Lagos to advance cancer care across Africa

Miss World 2026: Four Continental winners battle for automatic top 20 spot

Miss World 2026: Four Continental winners battle for automatic top 20 spot

Entertainment6 days ago

Miss World 2026: Four Continental winners battle for automatic top 20 spot (VIDEO)

Business4 days ago

Versat Automobile to launch Chery’s EXEED premium brand in Nigeria

Miss World 2026: 24 African Contestants Flying the Continent’s Flag in Vietnam

Miss World 2026: 24 African Contestants Flying the Continent’s Flag in Vietnam

Entertainment5 days ago

Miss World 2026: Meet 24 African Contestants Flying Continent’s Flag in Vietnam(VIDEO)

Osun 2026: Vote-Buying, Security Concerns Raise Fresh Questions Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections OSOGBO — The 2026 Osun State governorship election has ended, but concerns over vote-buying, electoral technology, security and public trust could offer important lessons as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. The August 15 election was largely peaceful across the state, with election observers commending voters and electoral officials for the overall conduct of the poll. However, reports of voter inducement, technical difficulties with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and isolated incidents of violence highlighted persistent weaknesses in Nigeria's electoral process. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), in its preliminary assessment, reported BVAS delays and biometric verification problems in several local government areas, while observers also recorded allegations of vote-buying and isolated security incidents. Vote-buying remains a major concern One of the strongest warnings from Osun was the continued presence of vote-buying and voter inducement. Yiaga Africa said the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were consistent with its independent statistical projections, but cautioned that this did not remove concerns about the integrity of voters' choices amid reports of vote-buying and inducement. The concern is particularly significant ahead of 2027, when political competition will take place nationwide and involve presidential, National Assembly and state-level contests. The International Republican Institute (IRI), following a pre-election assessment mission conducted in August, identified monetised political competition, election-related violence, insecurity and declining public confidence in INEC among the structural challenges facing the 2027 elections. IRI recommended stronger investigation and prosecution of vote-buying and voter inducement, urging INEC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and security agencies to act on credible allegations. Technology improves transparency — but has limits The Osun election also demonstrated how electoral technology can improve transparency. INEC's electronic transmission of polling-unit results through the IReV platform provided observers and members of the public with a mechanism to monitor uploaded results. Yiaga Africa subsequently said the official results were consistent with its independent statistical estimates, describing the outcome as evidence that the announced results reflected the ballots counted at polling units. However, technical problems with BVAS were reported during voting. CDD said difficulties involving biometric verification and slow processing occurred in several LGAs, including Irepodun, Ejigbo, Obokun, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ola Oluwa, Ede North and Ede South. These problems underline the need for INEC to ensure that electoral technology is not only available but also reliable, properly tested and supported by effective backup systems. Security remains another test for 2027 Although voting was generally peaceful, isolated incidents of violence and disruption were reported during the Osun poll. CDD called for security agencies to maintain political neutrality, investigate reported incidents and protect voters regardless of their political affiliation. IRI has similarly warned that insecurity and election-related violence could undermine meaningful political participation in 2027. Its assessment noted that more than 81 election-related violent incidents had been recorded in Osun in the year preceding the governorship election, with violence increasing as Election Day approached. The institute urged security agencies to identify high-risk areas early and develop location-specific plans to prevent intimidation, disruption and attacks on electoral participants. Osun offers lessons ahead of 2027 Despite the challenges, observers say the Osun election also provides evidence that improvements in election administration can produce positive results. Yiaga Africa's assessment found that INEC and security agencies largely passed the test of conducting the election, while its independent verification indicated that the official results accurately reflected the ballots counted at polling units. The challenge ahead is to build on those gains while addressing the weaknesses exposed during the election. For INEC, that means improving BVAS reliability, strengthening result-transmission and collation procedures and maintaining clear communication with voters and political parties. For security agencies, it means preventing electoral violence and ensuring that investigations and prosecutions are not selective. Political parties also face pressure to take greater responsibility for the conduct of their candidates, agents and supporters, particularly over voter inducement and intimidation. A bigger test awaits in 2027 The central lesson from Osun may be that a technically transparent election is not automatically the same as a completely free election. Electronic transmission can make results easier to monitor, but technology cannot by itself prevent voters from being offered money, threatened or pressured before they cast their ballots. IRI's latest assessment similarly stressed that the credibility of the 2027 elections will depend not only on technical administration but also on security, consistent application of electoral rules, timely communication and public confidence in INEC. With Nigeria's 2027 general elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, the Osun experience provides both a warning and an opportunity: the country has made progress in electoral transparency, but vote-buying, insecurity and declining trust must be confronted before they are magnified across a nationwide election.

Osun 2026: Vote-Buying, Security Concerns Raise Fresh Questions Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections OSOGBO — The 2026 Osun State governorship election has ended, but concerns over vote-buying, electoral technology, security and public trust could offer important lessons as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. The August 15 election was largely peaceful across the state, with election observers commending voters and electoral officials for the overall conduct of the poll. However, reports of voter inducement, technical difficulties with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and isolated incidents of violence highlighted persistent weaknesses in Nigeria's electoral process. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), in its preliminary assessment, reported BVAS delays and biometric verification problems in several local government areas, while observers also recorded allegations of vote-buying and isolated security incidents. Vote-buying remains a major concern One of the strongest warnings from Osun was the continued presence of vote-buying and voter inducement. Yiaga Africa said the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were consistent with its independent statistical projections, but cautioned that this did not remove concerns about the integrity of voters' choices amid reports of vote-buying and inducement. The concern is particularly significant ahead of 2027, when political competition will take place nationwide and involve presidential, National Assembly and state-level contests. The International Republican Institute (IRI), following a pre-election assessment mission conducted in August, identified monetised political competition, election-related violence, insecurity and declining public confidence in INEC among the structural challenges facing the 2027 elections. IRI recommended stronger investigation and prosecution of vote-buying and voter inducement, urging INEC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and security agencies to act on credible allegations. Technology improves transparency — but has limits The Osun election also demonstrated how electoral technology can improve transparency. INEC's electronic transmission of polling-unit results through the IReV platform provided observers and members of the public with a mechanism to monitor uploaded results. Yiaga Africa subsequently said the official results were consistent with its independent statistical estimates, describing the outcome as evidence that the announced results reflected the ballots counted at polling units. However, technical problems with BVAS were reported during voting. CDD said difficulties involving biometric verification and slow processing occurred in several LGAs, including Irepodun, Ejigbo, Obokun, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ola Oluwa, Ede North and Ede South. These problems underline the need for INEC to ensure that electoral technology is not only available but also reliable, properly tested and supported by effective backup systems. Security remains another test for 2027 Although voting was generally peaceful, isolated incidents of violence and disruption were reported during the Osun poll. CDD called for security agencies to maintain political neutrality, investigate reported incidents and protect voters regardless of their political affiliation. IRI has similarly warned that insecurity and election-related violence could undermine meaningful political participation in 2027. Its assessment noted that more than 81 election-related violent incidents had been recorded in Osun in the year preceding the governorship election, with violence increasing as Election Day approached. The institute urged security agencies to identify high-risk areas early and develop location-specific plans to prevent intimidation, disruption and attacks on electoral participants. Osun offers lessons ahead of 2027 Despite the challenges, observers say the Osun election also provides evidence that improvements in election administration can produce positive results. Yiaga Africa's assessment found that INEC and security agencies largely passed the test of conducting the election, while its independent verification indicated that the official results accurately reflected the ballots counted at polling units. The challenge ahead is to build on those gains while addressing the weaknesses exposed during the election. For INEC, that means improving BVAS reliability, strengthening result-transmission and collation procedures and maintaining clear communication with voters and political parties. For security agencies, it means preventing electoral violence and ensuring that investigations and prosecutions are not selective. Political parties also face pressure to take greater responsibility for the conduct of their candidates, agents and supporters, particularly over voter inducement and intimidation. A bigger test awaits in 2027 The central lesson from Osun may be that a technically transparent election is not automatically the same as a completely free election. Electronic transmission can make results easier to monitor, but technology cannot by itself prevent voters from being offered money, threatened or pressured before they cast their ballots. IRI's latest assessment similarly stressed that the credibility of the 2027 elections will depend not only on technical administration but also on security, consistent application of electoral rules, timely communication and public confidence in INEC. With Nigeria's 2027 general elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, the Osun experience provides both a warning and an opportunity: the country has made progress in electoral transparency, but vote-buying, insecurity and declining trust must be confronted before they are magnified across a nationwide election.

Comments and Issues4 days ago

Digital Rights and the 2027 Poll in Nigeria

Yaya Touré makes history as Slovan Bratislava reaches Champions League league phase

Yaya Touré makes history as Slovan Bratislava reaches Champions League league phase

Football4 days ago

Yaya Touré makes history as Slovan Bratislava reaches Champions League league phase

Petrol Price War: Where are Nigerians getting the cheapest Fuel?

Petrol Price War: Where are Nigerians getting the cheapest Fuel?

Energy4 days ago

Petrol Price War: Where are Nigerians getting the cheapest fuel?