The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the Peoples’ Democratic Party risks going into extinction if it attempts to field Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate in the 2027 presidential election. 

Last week, the PDP announced that it had zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South – a zone Mr Obi hails from. 

The decision was reached during the PDP National Executive Committee held in Abuja. 

The PDP national spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, while presenting the communique issued after the meeting, said the NEC approved recommendations of the zoning committee after extensive deliberation.

But speaking on Monday, Mr Wike said the leadership of the party was planning to further destroy the opposition PDP if it welcomes Mr Obi to his fold. 

He noted that such a decision would only erode the party’s credibility and destroy the remaining ideological foundation of the PDP. 

Mr Wike said, “Bringing Obi to where? You want to kill the party? Obi that was abusing the party, saying it is rotten—so the party is now good enough for him? Ambition can make people even go to Satan’s house. If you want to destroy this party, dare it—bring Obi. There’s no way he will come back just because of ambition. No more ideology, no longer principle.” 

He noted that the PDP had not learnt from its past mistakes that cost it the last 2023 general elections.

There had been insinuations that the PDP was courting Mr Obi to return to the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

In June, there were reports that the Anambra State chapter of the PDP begged Mr Obi to return to the party and pick its presidential ticket. 

Recall that Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State under the PDP platform, left the party ahead of the 2023 general election, citing his inability to achieve his presidential ambition on its platform.