The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must rebuild its internal structures and resolve its lingering crises before it can realistically hope to win a presidential election.
Speaking during a media chat on Thursday, Wike maintained that no political party can secure victory at the national level without first strengthening its grassroots structures and putting its internal affairs in order.
He also criticised the notion that Nigeria’s democracy depends on the participation of a few prominent opposition figures, insisting that democratic governance is bigger than any individual.
“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,” he said.
“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,” Wike added.
Wike further stressed that winning a presidential election requires years of preparation, strong party structures across the country, and sustained grassroots mobilisation.
“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.
