BREAKING: Wike’s Men Reject Jonathan, Endorse Peter Obi for PDP Presidential Ticket
According to a report by Daily Trust, the internal division stems from a power tussle between party factions over whether to field former President Goodluck Jonathan, Obi, or Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, as the PDP’s flag bearer.
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Wike’s Men Reject Jonathan, Endorse Peter Obi for PDP Presidential Ticket
Fresh cracks are emerging within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have reportedly thrown their weight behind former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the race for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
According to a report by Daily Trust, the internal division stems from a power tussle between party factions over whether to field former President Goodluck Jonathan, Obi, or Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, as the PDP’s flag bearer.
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Those backing Jonathan argue that he remains the only figure within the party with the political stature to mount a serious challenge against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. His appeal, they say, lies in his acceptability across the country and the fact that, constitutionally, he is limited to only one more term in office—a scenario the North may find favourable.
Similarly, Obi has also indicated that he would serve only a single term if elected president, insisting that four years would be enough to set Nigeria on the right path. This has made him an attractive alternative for some power brokers who see him as a candidate capable of rallying significant national support.
However, sources claim Wike’s camp is strongly opposed to Jonathan’s possible comeback. A PDP chieftain told the publication:
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“Many want Jonathan because he is easy to sell nationwide and has only one term left, which the North will find acceptable. But Wike’s men are against him. They are pushing Obi instead to block Jonathan. They know if Jonathan joins, even Obi will realise the game is over.”
Another zonal party leader described the wrangling as a symptom of a deeper struggle over the party’s control, adding that the PDP leadership must address internal contradictions if it hopes to regain national relevance.
“You saw the statement about cracking down on anti-party activities? That’s part of this ongoing struggle. The party cannot be wooing Jonathan and Obi while allowing one man to dictate everything. They need to prove they are serious; otherwise, these figures won’t take them seriously,” he said.
