PDP risks collapse if Obi returns, says Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against entertaining discussions about former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, rejoining the party.

Wike described such conversations as harmful to the PDP, noting that they distract from the party’s efforts to rebuild ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In recent weeks, some PDP chieftains have reportedly been making overtures to Obi, with hopes of convincing him to return and possibly emerge as the party’s presidential candidate in 2027.

Obi, who contested the 2023 election on the platform of the Labour Party, has also stirred political debate by pledging to serve only one term if elected president, insisting that four years would be enough for him to transform Nigeria.

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In separate interviews, two PDP leaders, the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, affirmed that the party is wooing Obi to rejoin the PDP.

However, speaking during a media chat on Monday, Wike dismissed the talks about Obi’s return, saying the ex-governor’s return to the PDP is dangerous and hypocritical.

Asked about the possibility of Obi rejoining the party, Wike said: “To what? 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.”

According to him, bringing Obi back to the PDP would further erode the party’s credibility and destroy any remaining ideological foundation.

“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 added.