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. (Vanguard)

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