Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has reaffirmed his stance that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, issuing a direct challenge to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s long-standing presidential ambitions.
Wike’s declaration comes amid heightened political maneuvering within the PDP, and coincides with a high-profile infrastructure achievement under his leadership in Abuja.
Recall that Wike, speaking during a media chat on May 12, had warned that the PDP cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the 2023 election, when the party declined to zone its ticket and instead opened the race to all contenders – a move that sparked internal division. He argued that failing to prioritise zoning in 2027 would again backfire and alienate southern stakeholders.
“You can’t send the presidency to the North again. I told them – selfishness can kill a system”, Wike said. He emphasised that zoning the ticket to the South would promote equity and help prevent the kind of disunity that plagued the PDP in the last election cycle, when he and other prominent members withheld support for Atiku Abubakar.
His comments, while not unexpected, have significant implications for Atiku, who has signaled his intent to remain in the race. Wike maintained that allowing another northern candidate would not only hurt the PDP’s credibility but also set a poor precedent if the All Progressives Congress (APC) zones its ticket northward in 2031.
As this internal party debate unfolds, Wike has also been in the national spotlight for his role in infrastructure development in the FCT.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu yesterday commissioned the newly renovated International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, upgraded at a cost of ₦39 billion. The facility has now been renamed the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, in honor of the President.
Visibly delighted at the commissioning ceremony, Wike danced as Tinubu praised his leadership, urging him to ignore detractors and focus on his mission to transform the capital. “Don’t pay attention to busybodies and bystanders”, Tinubu told Wike. “You are a transformational leader…You have the vision, foresight and determination to succeed”.
The President added that the modernised conference center is a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to quality infrastructure and international engagement, while making it clear that it will not be freely available for social or corporate events, underscoring a new standard for public facility usage.
