By: Daure David
The PDP Northern Youth Forum has lashed out at Nyesom Wike, a key minister in Bola Tinubu’s government, accusing him of overestimating his political influence and misrepresenting his ability to secure victory for the ruling party in the 2027 elections.
In a scathing statement released on Monday, the Forum responded to Wike’s claims that he would be instrumental in preventing Atiku Abubakar from winning the 2027 presidential race, describing such assertions as “delusional” and “a desperate attempt to maintain relevance.” The Forum, which has consistently backed Atiku Abubakar’s political aspirations, pointed out that Wike’s own political standing has been in steady decline, particularly in his home state of Rivers, where his influence is said to have waned significantly.
“Wike’s claims that he can stop Atiku in 2027 are nothing more than a futile effort to feed his own ego. The reality is, even Tinubu knows that Wike has lost his grip on Rivers State, and his desperate attempts to oust Governor Sim Fubara only highlight his growing irrelevance,” the statement read.
The Northern Youth Forum went further to challenge Wike’s credibility by highlighting his inability to secure electoral success in his own local government area during the last local government elections. “If Wike cannot even win his own ward, how does he expect to deliver an entire state for Tinubu in 2027? His claims are nothing but empty talk,” the statement continued.
The Forum also alleged that President Bola Tinubu himself does not fully trust Wike’s abilities, pointing to the ongoing power struggle in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Fubara as evidence of Wike’s diminishing influence. “If Tinubu truly believed in Wike’s political capacity, he would not have to resort to such drastic measures to maintain control in Rivers,” the Forum noted.
The sharp rebuke from the PDP Northern Youth Forum comes at a time when there are growing tensions within the ruling APC, with many questioning Wike’s loyalty and political future. Political analysts have suggested that while Wike remains an influential figure, his ambitions for 2027 may be overreaching, given his strained relationship with key stakeholders within his own party.
In response to the criticisms, Wike has yet to publicly address the statement from the Northern Youth Forum, but sources close to the minister have indicated that he remains committed to his role in the Tinubu administration and plans to further assert his influence as the 2027 elections approach.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, all eyes are on the 2027 race, with both the APC and PDP gearing up for what promises to be a fiercely contested election. Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to be the PDP’s presidential candidate once again, continues to enjoy widespread support in the northern region, while Tinubu’s presidency faces growing challenges from within his own party, as figures like Wike grapple with their diminishing relevance.
The political drama in Rivers State and the larger national stage will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the 2027 elections, but for now, the battle between the APC and PDP appears poised to intensify in the coming years.
