The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has sounded a dire warning to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that it will be virtually impossible to win the presidential election in 2027 if it fails to reform its zoning system.

Wike made this assertion during a live media parley, where he emphasized the party’s non-adherence to its constitutional provisions regarding the zoning of key positions, including the chairmanship and presidential candidacy.

This statement comes on the heels of a significant development within the party, as former Senate President and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, inducted former Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, along with 38 others, into the party’s Board of Trustees.

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During the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Wabara urged the new members to play a pivotal role in steering the PDP towards renewed success and significance, asserting that the party remains a formidable force in Nigerian politics.

However, Wike’s concerns about the party’s zoning system stem from the 2023 general elections, where he alleged that some members manipulated the provisions of the party for selfish interests. This manipulation led to the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate and Chairman Iyorchia Ayu, both from the northern zone.

Wike warned that if the PDP attempts to replicate this strategy in 2027, it will likely backfire.

“If PDP does not take care, and I say it again, watch out for what will happen,” Wike cautioned. “You know, selfish interest can kill an organization. You have not won an election; you are excluding people. Let us tell ourselves the simple truth: in 2023, we told the party, It is in our constitution, it is in our tradition; when these people take the chairman, these people will take the presidential candidate. Because of selfish interests, they manipulated the system.”

Wike further emphasized that the party’s failure to adhere to its zoning system could lead to its downfall, stating, “They said no, we should not do zoning now. Before we knew it, some people had gone to buy forms. Now, a zone took the chairman of the party; a zone took the presidential candidate. Of course, arrogance came in: ‘Forget it; we have won the election.’ See where we are.”

The PDP has been grappling with internal strife since the 2023 elections, with conflicts deepening after a clash between Governor Sim Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike in Rivers State. Leadership disputes in the South-South zone and the unresolved vacancy of the National Secretary since December 2024 have further exacerbated the party’s woes.

Despite efforts by the party’s top organs, including the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, NEC, and the Governors Forum, to heal the rift, internal divisions have intensified, leading to further splintering of state and zonal chapters. The growing unrest has led to dissatisfaction among members, with some defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

One notable defection was that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, ex-Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other key officials, who switched parties on April 23, dealing a significant blow to the PDP’s image and weakening its prospects for the 2027 elections.

Addressing the recent defections, Wike defended Governor Oborevwori’s move, stating that his declaration of support for President Tinubu was not a crime. “When people talk about the governor of Delta State and his predecessor and their team moving out of PDP to APC, what wrong did he do? That he said he was going to support Tinubu, the president, is a crime.

Wike also faulted what he described as impunity within the party, adding that the PDP, as an opposition party, was yet to organize itself to take over the helm of affairs. “In anything you are doing, if you do not have the right leadership, this is what you will suffer. For Christ’s sake, no opposition party worth its salt will act with impunity. It is only a ruling party, normally because they are in power, that acts with impunity. Opposition does not do that, because opposition is going to organize itself to say, I can take over the helm of affairs of government.”

Wike’s warnings and criticisms have sparked a renewed debate within the PDP about the need for reforms and restructuring. As the party navigates its internal challenges, it remains to be seen whether Wike’s words will fall on deaf ears or spark meaningful change within the party.