“Elections are not same” — Wike speaks on PDP conflicts, rainbow coalition

By Stanley Onyekwere

During his monthly media chat Thursday in Port Harcourt, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, addressed critical national political issues, focusing heavily on intra-party conflicts within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the complexities of multi-level elections, and shifting political coalitions.

Addressing questions regarding the omission of Hon. Ladi Adebutu’s name from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) register in Ogun State, Wike distanced himself from the controversy, clarifying that he never sponsored any faction.

When pressed on whether Adebutu belonged to a specific faction of the PDP, Wike maintained that the party follows structured legal and administrative processes.

Wike emphasized that internal party matters involving primaries and candidate submissions are guided by clear party frameworks and judicial processes.

Rejecting claims that certain candidates had been “thrown to the wolves, I never sponsored him. You keep the personality… the party has to take its step. The party has gone to court,” Wike stated.

Reflecting on the broader political landscape, Wike analyzed how changing dynamics between political platforms—including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP—shape broader electoral strategies and coalitions.

Highlighting that voters must recognize that elections do not all function the same way, Wike stressed, “Elections are not the same; we have a president and we have the assembly election.”

He noted that securing specific outcomes across executive and parliamentary seats requires a tailored, localized strategy.

Commenting on past political choices and negotiations across state lines, Wike noted that pragmatic political engagement often dictates how parties approach multi-level contests and strategic alliances.

Emphasizing that successful politicking is a gradual process rather than an overnight feat, the Minister urged political actors to focus heavily on grassroots engagement.

He noted that building sustainable political structures requires consistent communication with voters at the local government level rather than relying solely on last-minute rhetoric.