Wike to PDP: Don’t zone 2027 presidential ticket to the North

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that he has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against zoning the party’s presidential ticket to the North as it did in the 2023 poll.

Wike stated this during a media briefing monitored by Sentinelnewsng.com on Monday, adding that the opposition party cannot zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the north.

“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.

“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 out presidential ticket. What kind of smartness is that?”

Wike’s remarks appeared to target PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Last year, Atiku reiterated his interest in recontesting for the presidency so long he is alive and well. The former vice-president said just as the former President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before his eventual victory, he would press on until he victorious.

Earlier today, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara inducted former Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, and 37 others into the party’s Board of Trustees.

Wabara who doubles as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees called on the new members to assist in directing the PDP toward renewed success and significance, asserting that the party remains much alive.

Others inaugurated into the BoT to serve for three years include former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, former Minister of National Planning, Mohammed Daggash, and former Ogun State governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, among others.

He also inducted former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, former National Vice Chairman of the party in the South West, Eddy Olafeso, former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu and former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion.

At least 85 of the 127 PDP BoT members had not been partaking in the activities of party.

The inauguration is intended to revive the board as it faces growing internal discord.

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