Wike A PDP Member Publicly Endorsed Tinubu 2nd Term, As Individual I’ll Say Wike You’re Fired - George

Chief Olabode George, a senior leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, may face party sanctions for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, during an interview with The Sun on Saturday, 19 July, 2025.

‎Wike, who remains a PDP member, recently endorsed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a second term.

George described Wike’s action as a serious breach of party rules.

‎He explained that while Wike’s statement was personal, only the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has the power to take disciplinary action.

‎George said that, if it were up to him, Wike would have been removed from the party immediately for supporting a rival party’s candidate.

‎However, he noted that the PDP does not operate like a private enterprise.

He stressed that only the NEC can make such decisions regarding top members.

‎He reminded Nigerians that Wike rose through the ranks of public service on the PDP platform.

‎He was once a local government chairman, then Chief of Staff to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Later, he served as Minister of State for Education under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

‎Wike also served as Governor of Rivers State for eight years under the PDP.

‎George argued that these achievements were possible because of the support of the party.

‎He warned that no individual, regardless of their contributions, is bigger than the party.

‎He insisted that Wike’s recent support for President Tinubu does not reflect the PDP’s official position.

‎George said that once the NEC meets, the issue will be discussed and Wike will have a chance to explain himself.

‎"The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a PDP member, publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu of the ruling APC for a second term. We have rules in PDP. As an individual, I would have said, Wike, you are fired for endorsing Tinubu, who is not a member of PDP, but we don’t do that in PDP. An individual can’t decide on behalf of the party. It is the NEC of the party that has the power to fire any party member of Wike’s status.

‎The fact that you have been contributing this or that to the party doesn’t mean that Wike owns PDP. He can be subjected to sanctions if he errs," he said.