A prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Tony Ehilebo, has pointed fingers directly at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing him of being the primary source of the deep-seated crisis plaguing Nigeria's main opposition party.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Tuesday, Ehilebo asserted that Wike's lingering bitterness from losing the 2022 PDP presidential primary to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar continues to fuel internal divisions.
He claimed that Wike, who had pushed for the presidential ticket to go to a Southern candidate, has not moved past the defeat and has instead taken actions that undermine the party.“I want to speak directly to the FCT minister because he is the root of this whole issue,” Ehilebo stated. “He was upset about what happened in 2023, so he worked for the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
He added that this “grievance” has persisted far longer than anticipated, describing Wike’s conduct as falling short of the exemplary standards expected from a political leader of his stature.
Ehilebo highlighted Wike's influential role in past party affairs, noting that the PDP had elevated him at every stage of his career. He warned that history would judge Wike harshly, saying, “History is not going to write itself another way; history is going to come along and say, ‘Here was a man that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had gifted everything to at every stage of his life.”
Ehilebo also alleged that Wike exerted significant control over certain state chapters, such as Anambra, where he claimed former PDP vice presidential candidate Peter Obi had little influence.The PDP chieftain further accused Wike of devaluing the party by prolonging legal battles and other disruptive activities.
He linked defections—including those of Peter Obi and Minister of Works Dave Umahi—to Wike’s approach, urging the minister to reflect on his legacy and remember the PDP’s role as a strong opposition force against the ruling government.
Despite Wike's public statements that the PDP remains viable, and his reported support for President Bola Tinubu’s potential re-election in 2027, Ehilebo appealed to Wike’s conscience, emphasizing that the party had once provided him immense opportunities.
He cautioned that posterity would not forget the current actions tearing at the PDP's unity.
The crisis traces back to the fallout from the 2022 primaries, when Wike and the G-5 governors withdrew support from Atiku in the 2023 election, indirectly aiding the APC’s victory.
Reconciliation attempts have repeatedly failed, and the party continues to grapple with factional disputes, including competing leadership claims and a scheduled national convention by one faction for late March 2026.
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