Southern PDP Faction Endorses Wike for 2027, Claims He ‘Saved Party from Extinction’

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in southern Nigeria, operating under the Wike-for-President 2027 (WFP2027) committee, held an emergency meeting on August 21, 2025, to express support for Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike’s presidential ambitions. Participants described the gathering as representing the “authentic leadership” of the PDP in the South, held hours after a rival meeting of southern PDP leaders in Lagos, which the committee labeled “illegal” and “self-serving.”

The meeting focused on condemning the Lagos gathering and recommending nominees for national and zonal coordinators of the WFP2027 campaign. Those in attendance included prominent party members such as Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, Hon. Abraham Amah, Barr. Venatius Nkem, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, Hon. O. K. Chinda, Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, Mike Ama Nnachi, Rt. Hon. Onwe S. Onwe, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, and Barr. Mudi Erhenede.

The chairman of the WFP2027 Southern Zone committee criticized the Lagos meeting, insisting that its decisions would not be recognized by the faction. He praised Wike for financially sustaining the PDP, claiming the party would have faced extinction without his support. The minutes of the meeting, described as “top secret” and obtained exclusively by SaharaReporters, quoted the chairman saying that Wike had funded party activities and even supported some members’ personal needs, including children’s school fees. He warned that legal action could follow if what he called “ungratefulness” continued.

Committee members also lauded Wike’s work in the FCT and his media engagements, highlighting his visibility and portrayal as a “man of action” and “Mr. Project” capable of leading Nigeria in 2027. According to participants, his achievements in Abuja are widely admired and considered the most significant success of the Tinubu administration to date.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous recommendation that the committee maintain public support for Wike and continue promoting his efforts in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential race. The minutes emphasized the faction’s belief that Wike’s leadership qualities and accomplishments make him the type of leader needed to guide Nigeria through its current challenges.