At the PDP Convention 2026, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, strongly criticized recent defections within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing them as a sign of weak leadership.

Wike argued that governors who left the party failed to demonstrate courage and responsibility during challenging times. According to him, true leadership is tested during crises, not when things are smooth.

He compared the situation to that of Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party. Wike claimed that despite being given a platform to contest for the presidency, Obi failed to show leadership when internal issues arose within his party.

Drawing parallels, Wike said PDP governors who defected behaved similarly. He noted that while they relied on the party structure to gain power, they abandoned it when faced with internal struggles instead of working to resolve them.

In his remarks, Wike emphasized that moments of crisis reveal those who possess true vision, courage, and the ability to lead. He concluded that the recent wave of defections highlights who is willing to stand firm and who is not.