The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike, has officially debunked rumors of a burgeoning alliance between the PDP and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a strategic stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike, known for his blunt political rhetoric, described the reported merger talks as the work of “political desperados” seeking relevance. His remarks come amidst intensifying maneuvers by opposition blocs to form a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“No Room for Side-Deals”
Wike’s intervention serves as a major blow to those advocating for a “mega-party” coalition. Addressing a crowd of loyalists and party executives, the Minister insisted that the PDP remains a sovereign institution capable of reclaiming its lost glory without “clutching at straws” through minor parties like the APM.
“I have heard the whispers and the sponsored reports about an alliance with the APM,” Wike stated. “Let me be clear: there is no such thing. Those roaming the streets of Abuja pretending to negotiate on behalf of the PDP are impostors. We are not a party that begs for partnerships out of weakness. If we are to win in 2027, we win on our own terms, with our own structures.”
A Party in Flux
The Minister’s stance highlights the ongoing ideological schism within the PDP. While a faction of the party, reportedly backed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has been open to exploring a “single candidate” strategy with parties like the APM, LP, and ADC, Wike’s wing remains staunchly resistant to any arrangement that might dilute their internal influence.
Wike’s dismissal of the APM—a party that has struggled for national visibility since its 2019 inception—was sharp. He argued that the PDP’s primary focus should be “internal sanitation” and reconciliation rather than “marriages of convenience” that rarely survive beyond the ballot box.
The Warning
In a final stern warning, the FCT Minister cautioned that any party member found engaging in unauthorized merger talks would face the full weight of the party’s disciplinary machinery. “The PDP is not a marketplace where anyone can just walk in and trade our heritage. If you want an alliance, go and join the APM personally. But you will not take the PDP with you,” he added.
As the 2027 roadmap begins to take shape, Wike’s latest outburst ensures that the road to an opposition coalition will be paved with significant internal resistance.
