The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the Peoples Democratic Party cannot realistically expect to reclaim the presidency unless it first addresses its internal divisions and rebuilds its organisational structure.
Speaking during a media chat on Thursday, Wike stressed that no political party could secure victory in a presidential election without first strengthening its grassroots base and resolving internal disputes.
He also faulted the growing belief that Nigeria’s democracy is measured solely by the participation of a handful of opposition politicians in elections.
“The only way people now say there is democracy is if the ADC or NDC participate in the election. Democracy, for us in Nigeria, has now been defined by whether Atiku participates or whether Peter Obi participates.
“If they don’t participate, people say there is no democracy. Democracy is not about only Atiku contesting or only Peter Obi contesting.
“I have told you that PDP had a problem. Now, having that problem is not easy. To put yourself back to winning the presidential election is not an easy task.
“You are not even talking about the ward election; it is difficult. What is more paramount to us is to build the party, show what you can do at the state level, get the ones you build and put the pieces together,” he said.
Wike said opposition parties must be realistic about the demands of a presidential contest, noting that success requires extensive planning and nationwide political structures.
“You have not even put your house in order, yet you want to win a presidential election. Do you know what it takes to have structures in all 36 states? Do you know what it takes to campaign across the country? Is it a two-month programme? It’s not,” he said.
He urged political parties to prioritise rebuilding from the grassroots, consolidate their presence at the state level and strengthen their support base before setting their sights on the presidency.
“What is more paramount to us Nigerians? Build a party, see what you can do at the state level, get the votes you can get, put your pieces together, then prepare,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor also dismissed past claims that he was working for the ruling All Progressives Congress, insisting he had always been open about his position on the PDP’s challenges.
“Was I not the one who was accused of being an agent of APC? Those who accused me, where are they? I am still here. Everybody knows what I have said. I have not hidden it, and I have told our party, ‘Let’s put our house in order,’” he said.
Reiterating his point, Wike said building a winning political platform requires time, planning and strong structures across the country.
“Do you know what it takes to have structures in 36 states? Even people who want to run for governor in their own state know the amount of planning involved. It is not an easy thing,” he added.
