By Kingsley Chukwu
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Egwu Chidiebere, has declared that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, remains a formidable national and political asset whose influence extends beyond the boundaries of the opposition party.
Egwu said this in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Friday while briefing journalists on the political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that Wike's political experience, grassroots networks, administrative record and capacity to engage across party lines could not be dismissed in the country's evolving political landscape.
The PDP chieftain, who described Wike as a national figure of considerable political weight, said the former Rivers State governor had demonstrated an uncommon capacity to build relationships across the political divide, including with members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and other opposition parties.
According to him, Wike's political interventions should not be interpreted exclusively from the perspective of internal PDP disagreements, stressing that his broader concern was the survival and relevance of opposition politics in Nigeria.
“I must tell you that our national leader is a very prominent political figure within the political arena of this country. He is a national figure of great repute.
“He is not only interested in the progress of the PDP but also in how opposition political parties can be factored into the political scheme of things ahead of the 2027 general election,” Egwu said.
He added, “He is a man I admire so much. He has grit, capacity and enduring influence, which has helped to sustain the political landscape of this nation.”
Egwu also commended Wike's record as governor of Rivers State, particularly his administration's emphasis on infrastructure, noting that the projects executed under his watch earned him the sobriquet, “Mr Project.”
He argued that Wike's political relevance was inseparable from his experience in party organisation, governance and electoral politics, adding that such experience remained valuable to the PDP and the wider opposition bloc.
The PDP spokesman urged Wike not to be distracted by what he described as attempts by some individuals to undermine his contributions to the party, saying the PDP had developed sufficient political structures across the country to withstand internal challenges.
He said the party's survival would depend largely on its ability to manage disagreements, reconcile competing interests and maintain a functional relationship among its major stakeholders.
Egwu said Wike had continued to demonstrate confidence in the PDP's institutional capacity and political future, despite the disagreements that have characterised the party in recent times.
He appealed to opposition political parties to engage constructively with the former Rivers governor, arguing that a vibrant multiparty system remained essential to democratic development.
“Nobody should undermine the large-heartedness of our national leader. His vision is not only to ensure that the PDP remains and retains political relevance for many decades to come, but to make sure that opposition political parties do not die in this country,” he said.
The deputy national publicity secretary further urged the PDP leadership at the state and national levels to establish what he described as a productive working relationship with Wike rather than joining what he characterised as campaigns of personal attacks against him.
He maintained that constructive engagement among the party's leaders would help reduce internal tensions, strengthen cohesion and enable the PDP to concentrate on the political and organisational challenges confronting it ahead of 2027.
Egwu said Wike's cross-party relationships should be viewed as part of the broader political process rather than automatically interpreted as a threat to the PDP, stressing that political dialogue remained a legitimate component of democratic practice.
He called on PDP members and other opposition stakeholders to place the long-term survival of democratic opposition above personal disagreements, saying Nigeria's political system required strong institutions and credible political alternatives.
The PDP chieftain maintained that the party's extensive grassroots presence and historical significance meant it remained a major participant in Nigeria's political process, while urging its leaders to deploy dialogue, reconciliation and strategic engagement in addressing its internal challenges ahead of the 2027 elections.
