The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, says members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are like Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the Nigeria 2023 election.
Wike said on Sunday during a national convention organised by his faction of the party. He argued that defectors displayed signs of weak leadership, similar to what he described as Obi’s handling of internal challenges within the Labour Party.
According to the FCT minister, Peter Obi failed to show leadership strength during a crisis in the Labour Party despite benefiting from its platform during the presidential race. Wike said that rather than addressing the party’s internal issues, Obi chose to leave, which he claimed reflected an inability to manage challenges and conflicts in the party.
“I liken those who defected from the PDP to the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party; they lack leadership traits,” Wike stated, adding that effective leaders should be able to resolve conflicts within their political structures.
The convention organised by Wike’s faction proceeded despite an ongoing legal dispute at the Supreme Court. The case stems from an earlier Appeal Court ruling that nullified the Oyo convention conducted by another faction led by Kabiru Turaki and backed by Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde.
Wike has consistently maintained that the PDP will not field a presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections. Instead, he said his camp would support the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu, who appointed him as FCT minister.
