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By Oscar Okhifo
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against moves to reintegrate former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, cautioning that such a step could destroy the opposition party.
Speaking during a media chat on Monday, Wike said the PDP had failed to learn from the mistakes that cost it dearly in the 2023 general elections. He recalled that he and other party leaders had advised against concentrating both the presidential ticket and the national chairmanship in the North, describing the decision as unjust and politically disastrous.
“From day one, I told my colleagues, PDP, you are shooting yourself. You cannot have the presidential candidate and the national chairman at the same time from the North,” he said.
The former Rivers State Governor accused the PDP of ignoring calls for fairness and balance, insisting that the move contributed significantly to the party’s loss at the polls.
“It is better now you have stolen the presidential ticket and again stole the national chairman. I said it will purge you. And it really purged them. I have no regret for it,” he declared.
Wike stressed that for the PDP to regain national relevance, the presidency must rotate back to the South, noting that equity and justice remain non-negotiable.
On speculations about Obi’s possible return to the PDP, Wike dismissed the idea as dangerous and hypocritical.
“To do what? Bringing Obi to where? You want to kill the party? Obi that was abusing the party, saying it is rotten? So the party is now good enough for him? Ambition can make people even go to Satan’s house,” he said.
According to him, such a move would further damage the party’s credibility and erode whatever ideological foundation it has left.
“If you want to destroy this party, dare to bring Obi. There’s no way he will come back just because of ambition. No more ideology, no longer principle,” he added.
Wike maintained that the PDP’s survival depends on internal reforms anchored on zoning, fairness, and justice.
Meanwhile, PDP chieftain Prof. Jerry Gana and some party leaders have publicly confirmed that they are working to convince Obi to return to the party. Obi, who remains a member of the Labour Party, has not indicated whether he will accept the offer. What he has made clear, however, is his plan to contest the 2027 presidential election, with a pledge to serve only one term if elected.