A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, demanded that the PDP should forgo presenting a presidential candidate in the 2027 general election as a condition for resolving the lingering crisis within the party.

 

Sani made the claim during an appearance on Arise News, where he discussed ongoing efforts by the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) to reconcile warring factions.

 

According to him, Wike issued the condition during one of the meetings with the BoT reconciliation committee, insisting that the party must stay out of the 2027 presidential contest if peace is to be restored.

 

“Wike told the PDP that the only condition for peace to reign is that the party should not field a presidential candidate in 2027,” Sani said.

“He said if the condition is not met, then it will be a fight to the finish with the PDP.”

 

The allegation adds another layer to the deepening rift between Wike and the party’s national leadership, a crisis that has persisted since the 2023 elections.

Sani also clarified the status of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid speculations surrounding his absence from the PDP’s recent national convention.

 

He insisted that Fubara remains a member of the PDP, arguing that attendance at the convention was voluntary and not mandatory.

 

“There are landmines placed before Fubara to discourage him from participating in politics,” Sani claimed.

 

He added that Fubara’s image was included in the convention brochure because he has not publicly announced his departure from the party — unlike the Taraba State Governor, whom Sani said has openly declared his intention to join the APC.

 

Sani’s remarks come as the PDP struggles to manage internal fractures, high-profile defections, and the high-stakes power tussle between Wike and leaders of the party at both state and national levels.

 

The party has not officially responded to the allegation against Wike as of the time of filing this report.