The lingering crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has cleared the path for President Bola Tinubu to easily win the presidential election, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has declared.
Wike said the internal friction in the PDP means the party cannot put forward any candidate with enough national weight to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The former Rivers governor who made the remarks on Thursday at a town hall meeting in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area said, “Talking about the crisis in the PDP, I have said it will be difficult for us to present a credible presidential candidate that can challenge this election. Therefore, there is no need to bother ourselves. Let us continue to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Wike, while urging voters to align completely with the APC to avoid wasting their votes, told the crowd to separate emotional sentiment from the practical realities of winning an election. He warned against voting for a local politician from the Akuku-Toru area who is contesting the governorship under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
“I know one of your sons is running for governorship under NDC. We want our son to be governor, but we must be realistic. As it is today, he cannot be under that party. It is not possible,” he stated.
According to him, the APC has already secured the strongest political platform for the region by backing Kingsley Chinda for governor, alongside a deputy governorship slot.
The minister also targeted former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, arguing that public displays of humility and internet trends do not qualify someone to run the country.
“If it is to vote for who will be the president of social media, vote for Obi. But when you are talking about the President of Nigeria, no. This country requires leadership.”
He insisted Nigeria needs a president with the experience and capacity to handle difficult national issues rather than someone relying on social media popularity.
Wike also defended Tinubu’s economic policies, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, describing it as a necessary step that previous administrations avoided due to political risks.
While acknowledging that the reforms have brought temporary hardship to Nigerians, Wike cited statements by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who questioned whether a regular politician seeking a second term would take such bold decisions.
He noted that the Tinubu administration has significantly improved federal allocations to states and local governments adding that Rivers State has received 47 federal appointments under the current administration, alongside the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road which has connected riverine communities to the mainland.
Earlier, Wike paid homage visit to the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, HRM King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel (II), who thanked him for past infrastructure projects and the current political stability in the state.
The monarch expressed relief that the alignment of political actors under one structure would prevent the typical tension that defines elections in Rivers State.
“The only thing we wish you is that now that you’re all together, we have the confidence that every election season, we used to panic that there would be crisis. But I thank Almighty God that this time around, there will be no crisis,” the King said.
The chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Aboiya Bob-Fubara, also pledged that the local structure will remain fully mobilized for Tinubu and other APC candidates at all levels.
