2027: PDP Bows To Wike’s Demands To End Rift

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has agreed to key demands from former Rivers State Governor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

This is aimed at easing internal tensions and boosting its chances in the 2027 elections.

Highly placed PDP sources hinted journalists in Abuja that the decision is part of a broader strategy to unify the party and address lingering grievances.

Wike, a major powerbroker in the PDP, had insisted on the zoning of the party’s presidential ticket to the South, the appointment of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, and strict adherence to the South-South and South-East zoning convention.

According to insiders, the PDP leadership has now accepted these conditions.

“The party has sat down and agreed to address everything Wike wants. He wants Anyanwu as the secretary of the party, to allow it to proceed. He wants a declaration from the party leaders that the presidential ticket will be zoned to the South.

“The party has accepted this. So, on what basis will Wike now fight the party? There’s no basis,” a senior source said.

The development comes amid growing unease over factionalisation within the PDP, especially after the reported collapse of the G5, a bloc of governors who opposed the party’s leadership under Senator Iyorchia Ayu and its 2023 presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, before the last general elections.

The G5, also called the Integrity Group, emerged ahead of the 2023 polls to push for leadership changes. Initially made up of Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo), the group is now down to three members, leaving Wike increasingly isolated.

“The G5 was initially a strong force, but it’s now a G3. Makinde left first, then Ortom. Wike is now left with Ugwuanyi and Ikpeazu, but their influence has significantly diminished. Even if they still call themselves the G5 or G3, they are no longer a formidable force politically,” another source explained.

Party insiders view the move to placate Wike as a calculated effort to prevent further defections and shore up support in the South-South and South-East, where he still wields considerable influence.

This strategy is seen as crucial ahead of the PDP’s November convention, where zoning and leadership issues will be resolved.

Meanwhile, the PDP is watching closely the possible political return of former President Goodluck Jonathan, whose silence over his 2027 ambitions has kept the party guessing.

Some believe Jonathan’s entry could alter the political landscape, especially if he pairs with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his running mate.

“Jonathan can destabilise the PDP if he enters the race. But if he stands up and says, ‘Kwankwaso is my running mate for 2027,’ that would be the end of it.

“You can’t stop them. Jonathan has no issues in the South-East and South-South, even with Obi. He’s the only one who can truly influence Obi not to run,” a party insider said.

A senior PDP figure also pointed to what he described as the structural advantage enjoyed by the Northern political bloc.

“The Hausa-Fulani political bloc is far more sophisticated than others. Nigeria is one of the few countries in the world that holds elections on a Saturday, a practice that has significant strategic implications.

“Most nations conduct elections on weekdays, such as Tuesday or Thursday, but our Saturday voting allows key political blocs, particularly in the North, to hold crucial decision-making meetings on Fridays.

“This tradition has given the northern political bloc a distinct advantage, as they enter elections armed with the outcomes of these Friday meetings, prepped and ready to execute their strategies. This has been their practice for years, and it’s one of the reasons they’ve maintained such a stronghold on power,” he said.