The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not have the financial strength to sponsor any candidate for the presidential election in the 2027 general election.
Wike stated this during his monthly media parley monitored by The Nation in Abuja on Friday, where he dismissed claims of fictionalisation in the PDP and spoke candidly about the internal realities confronting the opposition party, especially as it looks ahead to the next presidential race.
Wike then made perhaps his bluntest remark of the session, saying the PDP had no financial capacity to bankroll a presidential hopeful.
‘As a party, the party does not have money’, he declared.
The minister said anyone genuinely interested in contesting for the presidency must first be able to assess his own strength and determine whether he has the personal capacity to launch a serious bid.
‘If, for example, I want to contest for president, I’ve checked myself, and I have something to start with’, Wike said.
‘But nobody alone can stand and win the presidency’, he said.
According to him, even financial backers and political supporters only rally behind candidates they believe can make a meaningful impact in the race.
‘Even supporters will only come to support when they know you have the chance to make any impact’, Wike added.
Responding to concerns about divisions within the party, the former Rivers State governor rejected the suggestion that the PDP was split into factions.
‘It’s you people that are always talking about factions. We don’t know any faction’, Wike said.
To back his position, he pointed to the conduct of recent party activities, arguing that the legitimacy of a political process can be measured by institutional recognition, particularly from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
‘When they held the convention at Ibadan, did you see any INEC there, but INEC was in our convention’, he said.
Turning to the issue of the PDP’s presidential prospects, Wike said the party would not take the 2027 contest lightly and has already begun internal assessment on whether it stands a realistic chance of winning.
‘We have formed a committee to look at the viability of our winning election as long as the presidency is concerned’, he said.
According to him, it would be politically irresponsible for anyone to simply wake up and declare presidential ambition without the structure, resources and preparation required for such a high-stakes contest.
‘How can somebody just stand up now and say they want to contest and become the president of Nigeria, and the primary is starting in May — do you see any seriousness in that?’ Wike asked.
He said that as one of the party’s national leaders, he would not encourage what he described as unserious ambition or allow unprepared aspirants to enter a race they are not equipped to run.
‘I will not, because I am one of the national leaders of the party, see that somebody is not prepared and then say go and buy a form and contest for President’, Wike said.
Wike also refuted claims that opposition parties are facing attacks under the current administration.
The ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu have faced accusations of targeting opposition parties to create a one-party state.
The controversy follows the de-recognition of the David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership and the Nafiu Gombe faction of the party by INEC over the 12 March Appeal Court judgement and pending litigation before the Federal High Court.
Addressing the alleged clampdown, Wike said the current challenges facing opposition parties pale in comparison to what he faced under the late Muhammadu Buhari administration.
‘It’s not correct that the current ruling party is killing the opposition, and I take exception to that’, Wike said.
‘If there was anybody tormented by a government, it was me, and I never ran away. I was personally haunted under Buhari.
‘We fought (the then acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ali) Modu Sheriff. We won at the federal High Court. That victory was one of the reasons the government sent the SSS to impound Justice (Musa Suleiman) Liman at the Federal High Court.
‘But I never ran away. I hired lawyers, and the matter went to the Supreme Court. That’s how we threw out Modu Sheriff’, he said.
Wike also said that the claims that the Tinubu administration was harassing opposition parties were misleading.
‘Under Buhari, this is what they did to kill the PDP. All these people shouting… it is only when it does not favour you’, he said.
The former Rivers governor noted that both ruling and opposition parties often look for loopholes to gain political advantage.
‘If you are an opposition party, you know the government or the ruling party will always look for a loophole. That is politics’, Wike said.
He also stated that the internal crisis within the PDP had been resolved, calling on former members to rejoin the party and contribute to its rebuilding process.
Describing politics as a competitive but non-hostile engagement, likening it to a football match rather than a battle of no return, he urged aggrieved stakeholders to move past personal grievances in the interest of party unity and progress.
‘As far as I’m concerned, the convention has come and gone. People are trooping in. I will say, the door is open. Yes, we have had a crisis. Now the crisis is over. Do we still have to shut our doors? No. Certainly not’, Wike said.
The former Rivers State governor also revealed that several individuals who previously distanced themselves from the party had already begun indicating interest in returning, noting that the current political climate is encouraging for those willing to actively contribute to the party’s growth.
He also criticised the ‘do-or-die’ approach often associated with Nigerian politics, warning that such attitudes undermine reconciliation efforts.
According to him, the party’s recent challenges should be viewed as differences that can be resolved rather than irreparable divisions.
‘Politics is not a fight to finish. It’s like a game, like football. If you see it as a do-or-die, it becomes difficult to reconcile. We have had our differences, but if you’re really sincere, there’s nothing left. We can do it together and move the party forward’, he added.
Wike further cautioned politicians against relying solely on titles for relevance, stressing that visibility, engagement, and consistent effort are key to remaining politically significant. He also hinted that those who fail to stay active within the party structure risk being sidelined in the future.
He criticised politicians who blame INEC and the judiciary for their internal party woes.
Wike urged them to take responsibility and resolve their crises.
Wike said many of the disputes currently rocking political parties are self-inflicted and worsened by disregard for due process and court rulings.
‘You cannot continue to violate laws and then turn around to blame INEC or the courts’, Wike said. ‘People should get it clear that institutions are not the problem when individuals refuse to comply with laid-down rules’.
The minister emphasised that adherence to the rule of law remains critical to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, warning that persistent violations and selective obedience to court orders could undermine the political system.
Wike also dismissed claims that external forces are responsible for internal wrangling within opposition parties, insisting that most crises stem from poor leadership and failure to follow constitutional procedures.
According to him, political parties must prioritise internal democracy and discipline if they hope to remain viable and competitive.
‘We are going to court; that is part of the democratic process. But you cannot distort facts or create false narratives simply because decisions don’t go your way’, he stated.
On the issue of party leadership and participation in national conventions, Wike maintained that only duly recognised party structures and delegates who have fulfilled constitutional requirements should be allowed to take part in decision-making processes.
He further cautioned against what he described as a growing culture of ‘political entitlement’, where individuals seek power without building the necessary structures or support base.
Addressing speculations around presidential ambitions within party ranks, the minister said anyone interested in contesting elections is free to do so, but must be realistic about their chances and capacity to win.
‘It is not just about declaring interest; it is about winning. You must ask yourself what impact you can make and whether you have the structure to succeed’, he said.
Wike reiterated his commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, urging politicians to focus on governance and service delivery rather than engaging in blame games.
He concluded by calling for greater political responsibility, stressing that Nigeria’s democratic growth depends on respect for laws, institutions, and due process.
Wike also threw an open challenge to Nigerians to hold him accountable for every ‘kobo’ of public funds, declaring that his administration’s performance is visible across the territory.
‘Challenge me, what are we doing with your tax money?’ Wike said during the 4 April 2026, media chat at his official residence in Abuja, in what became the defining moment of the session.
The minister, who spoke passionately on governance and accountability, insisted that his focus remains on delivering tangible results rather than engaging in political rhetoric.
‘It’s not about the party you belong to. It’s about what you can see. I don’t believe in 3D presentations; seeing is believing’, he said.
Wike disclosed that his administration is currently executing projects across all six area councils, adding that he has firsthand knowledge of developments in each location without relying on briefings.
‘As I sit here, I can tell you how many projects are ongoing in each of the area councils. I don’t need to call for files’, he stated.
He further revealed that the FCT is on the verge of commissioning a wave of infrastructure projects, particularly roads linking rural communities, describing the development drive as unprecedented.
‘What is happening now has never happened in the history of the FCT’, he said, noting that several long-abandoned projects are being revived and completed.
On funding, Wike explained that the FCT receives only one per cent of federal allocations, stressing that taxation remains the backbone of development efforts.
‘People want infrastructure, but they don’t want to pay taxes. It’s not easy. What we are doing is based on what we generate’, he said.
The minister also used the opportunity to caution journalists against what he described as misplaced priorities, urging them to ask questions that drive national progress.
‘Don’t ask me trivial questions. Ask questions that will help Nigeria’, he said.
Addressing security concerns, including the ‘one-chance’ robbery incidents, Wike acknowledged isolated cases but maintained that the situation had significantly improved due to ongoing interventions.
‘You cannot say crime will not happen at all. What matters is reducing it and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice’, he noted, adding that security agencies have been fully supported to tackle emerging threats.
He stressed that security strategies are being constantly reviewed to respond to evolving criminal tactics, while cautioning against unrealistic expectations of total crime elimination.
Wike also defended President Tinubu against criticisms over insecurity, insisting that the President has shown a genuine commitment to addressing national challenges.
‘He has taken security as a priority. Fighting terrorism is not easy anywhere in the world’, he said.
Reaffirming his stance on governance, the FCT Minister said he remains undeterred by criticism, noting that scrutiny comes with leadership responsibility.
‘If you are in this position, people will talk. What matters is staying focused and delivering results’, he added.
