2027: “Wike factor still haunts PDP” – APC chieftain declares, says Tinubu’s 2nd term secure

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, has declared that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains deeply fractured due to its failure to uphold the zoning principle, with the “Wike factor” still posing a significant challenge to the party’s stability. Speaking with journalists on Thursday, Okechukwu defended APC National Chairman, Dr. Umar Ganduje, over his recent remark that “there is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” insisting that the PDP’s internal crisis, largely fueled by its 2023 zoning miscalculation, is to blame. He argued that the PDP’s deviation from the established power rotation convention had weakened the party beyond repair, adding, “It has produced the ‘Wike Masquerade,’ which cannot be easily wiped off the party’s bone marrow.” Okechukwu further predicted that the PDP might struggle to function effectively as Nigeria’s main opposition party and could ultimately be forced into a merger, much like the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was absorbed into the APC. Addressing concerns about economic hardship fueling opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, Okechukwu expressed confidence that the situation would improve before 2027. “Some of Mr. President’s economic policies will start bearing positive fruits, and he has laid the groundwork for Foreign Direct Investments,” he stated. According to him, Tinubu’s diplomatic strategies and strong international ties position him well for re-election, as foreign investments and loan-backed projects will help cushion the nation’s economic challenges.