The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party will struggle to win a presidential election until it rebuilds its internal institutions and addresses persisting internal conflicts.
Wike made the statements during a media briefing on Thursday, arguing that political parties cannot expect to win the president unless they first clean house and build their grassroots institutions.
He also criticized the rising belief that Nigeria’s democracy is only dependent on the participation of a few notable opposition figures.
“The only way people now say there is democracy is if the ADC or NDC participates 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.
Speaking on the opposition’s challenges, Wike stated that no party could expect to win the presidency without appropriate preparation.
“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.
According to him, political parties should focus on creating their structures from the grassroots and improving their performance in state elections before approaching the presidency.
“What is more paramount to us Nigerians? Build a party, see what you can do at the state level, get the votes you can get, put your pieces together, then prepare,” he said.
The former Rivers State Governor also denied prior charges that he worked for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“Was I not the one who was accused of being an agent of APC? Those who accused me, where are they? I am still here. Everybody knows what I have said. I have not hidden it, and I have told our party, ‘Let’s put our house in order,’” he said.
Wike stated that winning in presidential elections necessitates long-term planning and robust political organizations.
“Do you know what it takes to have structures in 36 states? Even people who want to run for governor in their own state know the amount of planning involved. It is not an easy thing,” he added.
