Former spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has indirectly zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Okonkwo claimed while speaking on Channels TV’s breakfast show on Friday, following the PDP’s decision to zone its presidential ticket to the South.

According to him, Wike has consistently imposed his will on the PDP and openly works against the party.

“You were there when Wike said he will be supporting the presidential candidate of another political party. So where is it? And he has told you that anything and anybody that goes against whatever he says, he will ignite fire in his state, if he is a state governor. And he has told you that whatever he says is law,” Okonkwo said.

He recalled how Wike disregarded the South East’s preference for Udo Okoye as PDP’s National Secretary, insisting instead on Samuel Anyanwu, who eventually emerged.

“In fairness to him, it has been like that. The entire South East said they preferred Udo Okoye for National Secretary, and if it’s not given to them, they would leave PDP. Wike said no, it has to be Samuel Anyanwu. And today, it’s Samuel Anyanwu,” he added.

Okonkwo further explained that the Supreme Court ruling, which upheld Anyanwu’s position, did not endorse Wike, but merely reaffirmed that political parties have the right to choose their leaders without interference from the courts.

Describing Wike’s conduct as “anti-party,” Okonkwo accused him of undermining the PDP by openly declaring support for candidates of other political parties.

“In 2023, he pretended he had a reason. In 2027, what’s the reason? And he has made it open. So there’s no party like PDP. PDP, by Wike, their leader, has already chosen their presidential candidate, and they have zoned the presidential ticket to him, and that’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Okonkwo said.

His remarks have stirred debates on the influence of Wike within the PDP and the future of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.