Former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to publicly declare its stance on the zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket, accusing the party of repeating the “manipulative” tactics he alleges marred the 2023 elections.
Speaking at a recent event, Wike recounted his previous warnings regarding the party’s internal dynamics leading up to the 2023 polls. He asserted that the PDP’s failure to adhere to its traditional zoning arrangements, where key party positions are distributed across regions, contributed to its electoral defeat.
“In 2023, I told them, look, it is in our Constitution, it is in our tradition, when these people take Chairman, the other people take Presidential Candidate. Because of their selfish interests, they manipulated the system,” Wike stated, referencing the party’s decision to allow both the national chairmanship and presidential candidacy to emerge from the northern region.
He criticized the party’s “arrogance” and disregard for his warnings, which he believes ultimately led to their electoral setback. “See where we are as a Party now,” he added.
Wike further questioned the PDP’s strategy for the upcoming 2027 elections, demanding clarity on the zoning of the presidential ticket. He accused some party members of attempting to delay the zoning discussion to maintain strategic ambiguity.
“Where are you zoning your Presidency for 2027? Where will you go? Some smart ones who have interests, said Noooo, it’s not yet time. How many times will you play this game and you think you are smart?” he questioned.
He specifically addressed the upcoming national convention, warning against a scenario where the South produces the party chairman, effectively excluding the region from the presidential candidacy. “Look, Nigeria today say the South is occupying the Presidency, why not as a Party come out today and say our Presidential Candidate for 2027 will come from the South? You don’t want to do that,” he stated.
Wike cautioned the PDP against repeating the perceived errors of the past, emphasizing that any attempt to “play the same game you played in 2023, it will backfire.”
He urged the party to abandon what he described as “smartness” and adopt a transparent approach to zoning. “I have told people this smartness don’t help you, come out now and let everybody know this is where we are heading to but playing this old game, it will not work,” he concluded.
His comments have reignited the debate within the PDP regarding the delicate issue of regional power sharing and the strategic positioning of the party for the next presidential election cycle. The party has yet to issue an official response to Wike’s demands.
