By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and National Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, urged party members to prepare for a fierce political battle ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that political power is never given but taken through struggle, sacrifice and hard work.

Addressing the PDP’s 109th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting in Abuja, Wike told party faithful that opposition politics demands resilience, organisation and determination, warning that the party would not return to power through entitlement or wishful thinking.

Drawing on his own political journey, Wike urged aspirants not to be intimidated by pressure, arrests or legal battles, arguing that political success is often forged through adversity.

“Nobody gives power. Power is taken. You must fight for it to take it. Nobody gives power, and nobody is ready to dash you of power. You have to struggle for it. You have to fight for it. You don’t have to be afraid,” Wike said.

Turning to the party’s lingering internal disputes and court cases, the former Rivers State governor insisted that the PDP remained firmly on course with its electoral preparations and would not allow legal challenges to derail its plans.

“As far as I am concerned, June 26 is when they will give the access code to political parties to upload results. Don’t worry, we are good to go. Nobody is afraid of court; courts are meant for human beings, not ghosts,” he said.

Wike said many party members were still struggling to adjust to life outside power after years of enjoying the advantages that came with governing, stressing that reclaiming political ground would require a different mindset.

“So most of you always used to come and take when PDP was in power, like spoiled children every day, depending on what their father had provided. It appears your father is sick now, nobody to provide, you think that the whole world has ended,” he said.

Wike also challenged governorship aspirants and other candidates to focus less on excuses and more on delivering measurable political results, saying leadership would ultimately be judged by performance and grassroots mobilisation.

“Everybody, go home, bring something, and put it on the table in 2027. If you bring the House of Representatives, you have done something. If you bring an assembly member, you have done something. But don’t come here, this is not a place of empty hands,” he said.

Wike further urged party members to remain steadfast in the face of intimidation, portraying political struggle as a test of commitment and endurance.

“If they want to kill you, die and leave this thing you are looking for. The people will arrest you; be strong. The people who will arrest you are also human beings. Use me as an example. I’ve seen everything, intimidation, everything,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the party’s future, Wike said the PDP would emerge stronger despite its present challenges and remain a relevant force in Nigeria’s political landscape.

“After the 2027 elections, we’ll come back here and thank God for keeping our party alive. Yes, we are not in a strong position to say we must get everything, but with a strong opposition, to be relevant and decide our future,” Wike said.

Earlier, PDP National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed struck a conciliatory tone, urging members to close ranks as the party prepares for future electoral contests.

He commended party leaders, state chairmen and members of the National Working Committee, NWC, for successfully conducting recent primaries and sustaining the party’s structures despite challenging circumstances.

Mohammed also praised Wike for what he described as his continued support, encouragement and political guidance to the party.

“Our objective is not merely to win elections but to offer visionary leadership capable of addressing the pressing challenges facing our nation and delivering tangible benefits to all Nigerians,” he said.

The chairman expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to provide a level playing field for political parties and urged stakeholders to continue supporting efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

He also applauded security agencies for helping to ensure the peaceful conduct of the party’s primaries nationwide and congratulated candidates who emerged from the exercises.

Also speaking, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, appealed for reconciliation and party unity while explaining the postponement of the board’s meeting.

He said the decision was taken to give both the Board of Trustees and the National Working Committee secretariats sufficient time to adequately prepare.

Ohuabunwa congratulated candidates who emerged from the party’s primaries, including gubernatorial, legislative and presidential candidates, and urged members to move beyond the contests and unite behind the party’s common objective ahead of the elections.

“The primaries have come and gone. The contest time is over. The time for unity, reconciliation and collective action is now. There must be no victors and no vanquished,” he said.

The BoT chairman also called on party leaders to intensify membership mobilisation and voter registration efforts across the country, stressing that electoral success begins with building strong grassroots support and ensuring supporters are registered to vote.

He commended Wike for his unwavering commitment to the unity and stability of the PDP.

The BoT chairman said the party’s prospects in future elections would depend largely on its ability to reconcile aggrieved members, expand its support base and mobilise voters across the country.

“Indeed, our strength lies in our unity. When we work together, victory becomes achievable. When we become divided, our collective resolve is weakened,” Ohuabunwa said.2027: Nobody gives power, you must take it — Wike tells PDP candidates

Political tensions in Osun State intensified on Wednesday as the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Imole Campaign Council exchanged accusations following separate incidents that claimed lives and left several people injured ahead of the governorship election.

The latest exchanges came after the death of an Accord Party member, Ajayi Aderogba, popularly known as Rogba, in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, on Tuesday, and a separate road accident involving APC supporters travelling for a political rally in Ede on Wednesday.

A member of the House of Representatives and Director-General of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, rejected allegations linking him and the APC to Aderogba’s killing during preparations for a political event supporting Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second-term bid.

The accusation was first made by the spokesperson for the Adeleke Campaign Organisation and Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who alleged that Oke had attempted to frustrate the political programme in Esa-Oke and was connected to the incident that led to Aderogba’s death.

Responding through his media aide, Tunde Omolebi-Sunday, Oke described the allegations as false, premature and unsupported by evidence, insisting that neither he nor the APC had any involvement in the killing.

“Such conclusions, made without any credible investigation or report from security agencies, are not only premature but deeply irresponsible. Oke and the APC had no connection whatsoever to the death and urged security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation,” the statement said.

The lawmaker also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and called on residents and political actors to allow investigators to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council issued a separate statement mourning APC supporters involved in a truck accident on their way to a rally in Ede, describing the development as tragic and extending sympathies to the bereaved families and injured victims.

The council said it was “profoundly saddened” by reports that a truck allegedly suffered brake failure and rammed into a procession of APC supporters, resulting in one fatality and leaving several others receiving treatment in hospital.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family of the departed and everyone touched by the loss. The council wishes those injured a speedy recovery and prays against a recurrence of such incidents,” it stated.

However, the council criticised the conduct of the APC campaign organisation after the accident, alleging that party leaders continued political activities despite the loss of lives.

It also referenced allegations previously made against Oke regarding the death of the Accord Party member in Esa-Oke.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has said it welcomes criticism but will not tolerate what it described as false and defamatory claims against its leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night to DAILY POST, its spokesperson, Habeeb Sale Mohammed, stressed that while democratic engagement allows for differing opinions, there must be a clear distinction between constructive criticism and deliberate falsehood.

“We are open to criticism, but not lies,” the statement said, noting that political leaders are expected to face scrutiny in a democratic society.

The movement said it believes in freedom of expression and the right of Nigerians to hold and express political views.

The statement added that it welcomes criticism when it is constructive, factual and aimed at strengthening democratic culture.

It, however, warned against the spread of what it called malicious allegations.

“There is a clear distinction between legitimate political criticism and the deliberate publication of falsehoods designed to deceive the public, damage reputations, incite hatred or create divisions,” the statement added.

The group said Senator Kwankwaso, who has spent decades in public service, has always shown tolerance and maturity in handling criticism and opposition.

“Neither Senator Kwankwaso nor the Kwankwasiyya Movement is afraid of criticism or political opposition,” it said.

But it maintained that it would not remain silent in the face of what it described as deliberate lies and character assassination.

“We will not fold our arms and watch individuals deliberately manufacture lies, spread malicious allegations or engage in character assassination under the guise of political commentary,” the statement said.

The movement warned that those spreading false claims should be ready to defend them through legal means.

“Any individual or group that intentionally disseminates false and malicious allegations against our leader should be prepared to defend such claims through lawful and appropriate channels,” it said.

It added that freedom of expression comes with responsibility.

“Public discourse must be guided by facts, evidence and honesty. Democracy cannot thrive where falsehood is elevated above truth,” the statement noted.

The movement also stressed that no individual is above the law, regardless of status or position.

“No individual is above the law. No office is too high. No position is too influential. Whether the source of the falsehood is a politician, a cleric, a traditional ruler, a media personality or any other public figure, we shall not hesitate to pursue every lawful remedy available to protect the integrity, reputation and dignity of our leader and our movement,” it added.

The statement further noted that since his emergence as vice-presidential candidate of the NDC, Kwankwaso has been working to build alliances across the country.

It highlighted his relationship with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying their collaboration has inspired hope among Nigerians seeking credible leadership.

“It is not surprising that the growing acceptance of Senator Kwankwaso and the rapid rise of the NDC have become a source of concern to some political interests,” the statement said.

The group accused some individuals of resorting to misinformation and personal attacks instead of engaging in healthy political competition.

“Such malicious and unprovoked attacks will neither distract us nor discourage us from pursuing our vision for a more prosperous and united Nigeria,” it added.

The statement comes in the wake of remarks by Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder and head of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, who allegedly made comments during a sermon questioning Kwankwaso’s relationship with Peter Obi.

Ayodele was reported to have said, “Kwankwaso is a fake to Obi, Kwankwaso will betray you. Kwankwaso has been paid to be vice president to Obi.”

Following the comments, Kwankwaso, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), reportedly threatened to institute a N10 billion defamation suit against the cleric over the alleged remarks.