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No Apologies: Wike Defends Working Against PDP in 2023 Elections

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Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, has made it clear that he has no regrets for opposing his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during the 2023 presidential election.

Wike, speaking during an interview on *Channels TV’s Politics Today* on Tuesday, explained that his actions were driven by a firm belief in fairness, equity, and justice, principles he felt the PDP ignored.

Wike expressed his lack of remorse for supporting a candidate outside the PDP during the presidential election.

He stated, “I have no apology for working against the PDP because I don’t believe in injustice. I won’t support a system that doesn’t allow other people to participate.”

According to Wike, his decision to oppose his party during the presidential race was not made lightly. He claimed that the PDP had failed to uphold fairness and inclusivity in its internal processes, leaving him no choice but to distance himself from the party’s presidential ambitions.

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Wike’s actions during the 2023 elections sent shockwaves through the Nigerian political landscape. While he remained loyal to the PDP in state-level elections, helping the party secure victories in the governorship and National Assembly polls, he took a different stance at the federal level.

“For the presidential election, I said I was going to support equity, fairness, and justice,” Wike explained during the interview.

This dual approach created a split in his political allegiance, with Wike backing his party for governorship and legislative elections in Rivers State, but rejecting the PDP’s presidential candidate.

This decision drew criticism from various quarters, with many accusing Wike of betraying his party. However, the former governor stood his ground, emphasizing that his actions were based on principle, not personal gain.

At the heart of Wike’s grievances with the PDP is the issue of what he describes as “injustice” within the party.

Wike has long been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the internal workings of the PDP, particularly its handling of the presidential ticket for the 2023 elections.

He has accused the party of sidelining certain regions and not allowing a fair process in the selection of its presidential candidate.

Wike felt that the party’s failure to embrace equity and fairness made it impossible for him to support its presidential ambition.

“I said I won’t support injustice,” Wike reiterated during the TV interview.

He also added that his stance on fairness was not limited to his party but extended to national leadership. This was his justification for supporting a candidate from another political party during the presidential race.

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During the interview, Wike also addressed rumors surrounding his relationship with Tony Okocha, the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

Wike was quick to clarify that Okocha was not “his man,” even though they were friends.

“Tony Okocha is my friend, but that does not mean I brought him to the APC. They fought me during the governorship election,” Wike said, distancing himself from the former APC chairman’s political journey.

This clarification is important because it dispels speculations that Wike had a hand in Okocha’s position within the APC.

Wike’s political opponents had often used his relationship with Okocha to argue that Wike had been secretly working with the APC in Rivers State, a claim the former governor denied outright during the interview.

The PDP’s struggles in the 2023 presidential election are well-known. Despite being one of Nigeria’s two dominant political parties, the PDP faced several internal challenges, including disagreements over zoning and the party’s leadership.

Wike was one of the key figures who openly expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s decision-making process.

His refusal to back the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2023 highlighted deeper divisions within the party. Some party members believe that the PDP should have rotated its presidential ticket to other regions to promote inclusiveness, a position Wike strongly supported.

The outcome of the election saw the PDP losing to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further fueling debates about the party’s internal conflicts and how they may have contributed to its loss at the national level.

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