Wike Warns PDP Power Must Be Fought For as FCT Minister tells party members to prepare for a tough battle ahead of the 2027 general elections
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, told leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that political power is never freely given but must be actively pursued, as he urged the party to prepare for a difficult contest ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Wike made the remarks during the PDP’s 109th National Executive Committee meeting held in Abuja, where he stressed that opposition politics requires organisation, resilience and strategic discipline to succeed.
The former Rivers State Governor warned that the party cannot rely on optimism or goodwill to return to power, insisting that electoral victory demands deliberate effort, sacrifice and political toughness.
“Nobody gives power. Power is taken. You have to struggle for it in order to get it. No one gives power, and no one is willing to take it away from you,” Wike said.
“You have to struggle for it. You have to fight for it. You don’t need to be scared.”
His comments come amid ongoing internal tensions within the PDP, as the party continues efforts to reposition itself following recent electoral setbacks and internal disputes that have shaped its national structure.
Wike, who served as Governor of Rivers State before his appointment as FCT Minister, drew on personal political experience to encourage party members to remain resilient in the face of legal and political challenges.
He argued that political success is often achieved through navigating pressure, opposition and institutional hurdles rather than avoiding them.
“From my point of view, June 26 is the day they will provide the access code to political parties so they can upload the results. Don’t worry, we are good to go,” he said.
“No one is scared of the court; courts are for real people, not for ghosts.”
The minister also addressed what he described as adjustment difficulties among some party members who had previously enjoyed access to political power, suggesting that the current opposition status of the PDP required a shift in mindset.
He said some members were struggling to adapt to the realities of life outside government control and urged them to adopt a more strategic and disciplined approach.
“So most of you used to come and take from PDP whenever they were in power, like spoiled children who relied on whatever their father gave them every day,” he said.
“It seems your father is sick right now, and there’s no one else to take care of things. You’re thinking that the whole world has come to an end.”
Wike maintained that despite internal disagreements and ongoing court cases within the party, the PDP remains focused on its preparations for the 2027 elections.
He reiterated that legal challenges would not deter the party’s political plans, insisting that it must remain active and competitive in the electoral process.
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The remarks have added fresh momentum to discussions within Nigeria’s political space about the PDP’s internal cohesion and its strategy ahead of the next general election cycle.
