Akpabio Mocks PDP, Tells Wike to Let Party ‘Die’
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stirred fresh political debate after declaring that he did not know the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was still in existence, urging Nyesom Wike to “allow it to die.”
Akpabio made the remarks on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, while representing President Ahmed Tinubu at the commissioning of Akinwumi Ajibola Street in the Gaduwa District of Abuja, a road project executed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration under Wike.
The Senate President made the comment while acknowledging dignitaries at the event, including Senator Olaka Nwogu, who recently emerged winner of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election on the PDP platform.
“Senator Olaka Nwogu, who, to my understanding, just won an election.”
“I didn’t know there was still PDP.”
“I am sure he is somewhere, and so many other distinguished senators, members of the working committee of the APC,” Akpabio said.
Turning to Wike, the Senate President added, “Wike, stop confusing us.”
“If a party has died, allow it to die.”
He continued, “So, members of the working committee, I won’t discuss anything on the working committee of the PDP.”
“like I said, anything that has died has died.”
Akpabio also commended Wike’s performance as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, saying the transformation taking place in Abuja had distinguished him from previous occupants of the office.
“In the meantime, my dear brother, the Minister of the FCT, the performing Minister of the FCT, who has made his predecessors look like they came to drink tea in Abuja, all these things they are doing, I can tell you people are baffled.”
“You and the President are performing miracles here,” he said.
The senator’s remarks came days after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Nwogu winner of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election with 47,961 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Osar Erewari, who polled 1,647 votes.
The by-election was conducted following the death of Senator Barry Mpigi in February 2026.
The comments immediately drew political attention, particularly because Wike remains a PDP member despite serving as FCT Minister in the APC-led administration of President Tinubu, a situation that has continued to fuel divisions within the opposition party.
The PDP swiftly rejected Akpabio’s claim that the party was no longer relevant.
In a statement issued later on Wednesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Jungudo, insisted that the opposition party remained active and was rebuilding ahead of future elections.
“For twenty-seven years, the Peoples Democratic Party has weathered political storms, overcome difficult moments, and consistently emerged stronger.”
“This season of renewal will be no exception, and we are bold to say that: The PDP is alive, the PDP is strong, and the PDP is rebuilding,” Jungudo said.
He added that the party’s recent electoral victories and growing support across the country demonstrated that it remained a formidable political force.
“With profound respect for the President of the Senate and the exalted office he occupies, we must state that such a declaration is more reflective of political wishful thinking than the reality on the ground,” the statement read.
Akpabio’s comments have since generated widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape, with supporters of the APC describing the remarks as political banter, while PDP members insist the party remains a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
