A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman of the PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPAJ), Tom FredFish, has urged the party to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South-South, specifically to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike. FredFish made this call during a media briefing in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, emphasising that fielding Wike as the PDP’s candidate would restore peace to the party and honour its traditional zoning arrangement.
He criticised the party’s recent decision to form a reconciliation committee, describing it as a futile effort. “What and who are they going to reconcile?” he questioned, adding that without zoning the presidency to the South-South, reconciliation would be meaningless.
According to FredFish, Wike stands out as the only strong and credible candidate from the southern region capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027. He argued that the PDP cannot survive without Wike, citing weak leadership among PDP governors and a handicapped National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BOT).
“There is no one left in the PDP with the financial muscle, political influence, and judicial reach to revive the party like Nyesom Wike. He is the soul of the party, its redeemer, and the solution to PDP’s challenges,” FredFish stated.
He further argued that for a man President Tinubu cannot do without, the PDP should consider itself fortunate to have Wike within its ranks and should do everything possible—even if it means apologising—to persuade him to run for president in 2027.
FredFish also took a swipe at the FCT Minister, accusing him of betraying the PDP, the party that elevated him politically. He challenged the PDP to hand Wike its presidential ticket and see what he would do with it.
“Giving Wike the PDP presidential ticket is the only way Nigerians can truly understand who he is. Let’s see if he would step down as FCT Minister to pursue his ambition or continue to serve under President Tinubu while undermining the PDP,” FredFish concluded.
