PDP Zoning: They Handed Party to Wike, Tinubu — Kenneth Okonkwo
Former spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has effectively handed its 2027 presidential ticket to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Okonkwo, speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show on Friday, learnt by PulseNets, maintained that Wike has long imposed his personal will on the PDP, warning that the former Rivers State governor openly undermines the same party he belongs to.
According to him, “Wike once openly declared that he would support the presidential candidate of another political party. How can such a person still lead PDP conversations? He has always made it clear that whatever he says is law, and if you oppose him, he threatens fire in his state. That is the kind of influence he wields.”
Wike’s Role in PDP Leadership Tussle
Okonkwo recalled that Wike defied the collective preference of the South East during the selection of PDP’s National Secretary. While leaders from the zone rooted for Udo Okoye, Wike insisted on Samuel Anyanwu, who eventually clinched the position.
He told PulseNets, “The entire South East wanted Udo Okoye as the party’s National Secretary, warning they would abandon PDP if denied. But Wike stood his ground and forced Samuel Anyanwu on the party. Today, Anyanwu is the Secretary.”
Okonkwo argued that the Supreme Court judgment which later upheld Anyanwu’s position was not an endorsement of Wike’s actions but rather a recognition that political parties have the right to choose their own leaders.
In his words, “The Supreme Court simply ruled that political parties can decide their leadership without interference. That ruling did not validate Wike’s manipulation. He already forced his way even before the court pronounced judgment.”
Anti-Party Conduct Ahead of 2027
The former LP campaign spokesperson further described Wike’s political maneuvers as acts of crude anti-party behavior.
He reported to PulseNets, “When a serving PDP leader boldly says he will support another political party’s presidential candidate, what do you call that? In 2023, he pretended to have reasons. But in 2027, what will be his excuse? He has already shown his hand.”
Also Read: 2027 Elections: Kenneth Okonkwo Urges Tinubu, Atiku, and Peter Obi to Step Aside for New Faces
Okonkwo concluded that Wike’s hold on PDP has left the opposition party in disarray, claiming that by Wike’s influence, the party has indirectly zoned its 2027 presidential ticket not only to him but effectively to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“There is no PDP left in reality,” he stressed. “Through Wike, they have already chosen their candidate, and that candidate is Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
