PDP Can’t Win Presidency Without Rebuilding – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said it will be difficult for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win a presidential election unless it rebuilds its internal structures and resolves its lingering crisis.

Naija News reports that Wike said this on Thursday during a media chat, where he argued that no political party could expect to win the presidency without first putting its house in order and strengthening its grassroots base.

He said the PDP’s internal problems had weakened the party and made it difficult for it to immediately return to winning ways at the presidential level.

Wike said, “I have told you that PDP had a problem. Now, having that problem is not easy. To put yourself back to winning the presidential election is not an easy task.”

The former Rivers State Governor also criticised the growing claim that Nigeria’s democracy depends on the participation of a few opposition figures.

He further said, “The only way people now say there is democracy is if the ADC or NDC participate in the election. Democracy, for us in Nigeria, has now been defined by whether Atiku participates or whether Peter Obi participates.

“If they don’t participate, people say there is no democracy. Democracy is not about only Atiku contesting or only Peter Obi contesting.”

Speaking on the challenges facing opposition parties, Wike said it was unrealistic for any party to expect victory in a presidential election without adequate preparation and nationwide structures.

“You have not even put your house in order, yet you want to win a presidential election. Do you know what it takes to have structures in all 36 states? Do you know what it takes to campaign across the country? Is it a two-month programme? It’s not,” he said.

According to him, parties must first focus on strengthening themselves at the ward, local government and state levels before targeting the presidency.

“What is more paramount to us Nigerians? Build a party, see what you can do at the state level, get the votes you can get, put your pieces together, then prepare,” he added.

Wike Dismisses APC Agent Allegation

Wike also dismissed allegations that he was working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he had always spoken openly about the need for the PDP to address its internal challenges.

“Was I not the one who was accused of being an agent of APC? Those who accused me, where are they? I am still here. Everybody knows what I have said. I have not hidden it, and I have told our party, ‘Let’s put our house in order,’” he said.

The minister maintained that winning a presidential election requires long-term planning, discipline and strong political structures across the country.

“Do you know what it takes to have structures in 36 states? Even people who want to run for governor in their own state know the amount of planning involved. It is not an easy thing,” he added.