Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has frowned at plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the party’s presidential ticket to the North as it did in the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, the former Rivers State Governor warned that it would be counter-productive for the opposition party to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the north if they truly want to unseat the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
“Why not, as a party, come out openly and say our presidential candidate will come out from the south?” he asked. “You don’t want to do that. You want to play the same game you played in 2023. It will backfire.
“This smartness won’t help you. Come out now and let everybody know where you are heading. You can’t send the presidency to the north. I told them. Selfishness can kill a system, ” he said.
In a message that appeared to be directed at Atiku Abubakar, considering the number of times he had contested without making headway, Wike warned that PDP will end up as second fiddle if it fails to look beyond the north this time around.
“For example, if Mr President runs and wins in 2027, by 2031 APC will send their presidential ticket to the north. “PDP will do what then? You will come back then and say, since APC is sending it to the north, let’s give the north our presidential ticket. What kind of smartness is that?” he queried.
Atiku, in 2024, emphasised his intention to run for the presidency again as long as he is alive and healthy. The former vice president noted that, similar to Abraham Lincoln, who contested for the presidency seven times before finally winning, he plans to persist until he achieves victory.