PDP Chieftain Urges Party to Zone 2027 Presidential Ticket to Wike, Challenges His Loyalty
A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman of the PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPAJ), Dr. Tom FredFish, has called on the party to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South-South region — and specifically to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike.
Speaking during a media interaction in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, FredFish argued that fielding Wike is the only way to uphold the party’s zoning tradition and restore unity within the PDP. He criticized the party’s newly formed reconciliation committee as futile, questioning its relevance.
“What and who are they going to reconcile?” he asked. “The PDP should stop wasting time on reconciliation committees and instead focus on zoning the presidency to the South-South. Wike is the only strong and credible southern candidate capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Without him, the PDP cannot survive.”
FredFish went further to assert that many PDP structures are currently ineffective. He claimed that governors from the South lack influence, the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) is powerless, and the Board of Trustees (BOT) under Senator Adolphus Wabara is inactive.
“There is no one else in the PDP with Wike’s financial strength, political reach, or judicial access,” he added. “He is the soul and the saviour of the party.”
He also claimed that President Tinubu heavily relies on Wike, a factor the PDP should leverage. According to FredFish, the party must do whatever it takes to win Wike back fully — even if it means apologizing to him publicly.
However, the PDP chieftain did not spare Wike from criticism, accusing him of double standards and betraying the very party that elevated him. He challenged the FCT Minister to prove his loyalty by accepting the PDP’s presidential ticket — or reject it and confirm his alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Let’s give him the ticket and see what he does. If he’s truly committed to the PDP, he should resign from his position as FCT Minister and run. But if he refuses, Nigerians will know where his loyalty lies — whether with the PDP or President Tinubu,” FredFish declared.
He also dismissed any expectations that former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s reconciliation efforts would yield results, urging Saraki to instead support the zoning of the ticket to the South-South.
“Only Wike can stop the defection of key PDP members and governors. With his ties to the APC leadership, he has the capacity to shift the balance in favour of the PDP,” FredFish concluded.
