The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said it will be difficult for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 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.
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“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.
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“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 challenges facing the opposition, Wike said it would be unrealistic for any party to expect to win the presidency without adequate 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 building their structures from the grassroots and improving their performance in state elections before targeting the presidency.
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“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 dismissed allegations previously made against him that he was working 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 maintained that success in presidential elections requires long-term planning and strong political structures.
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“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.