The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said it will be difficult for the Peoples Democratic Party to win a presidential election unless it first rebuilds its internal structures and resolves its lingering internal crises.
Wike made the remarks during a media chat on Thursday, where he argued that political parties cannot expect to win the presidency without first putting their house in order and strengthening their grassroots structures.
He also criticised the growing narrative that Nigeria’s democracy depends solely on the participation of a few prominent opposition figures.
“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.
