The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces an uphill task in its bid to reclaim the presidency in 2027 unless it resolves its internal challenges and rebuilds its political structures across the country.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike said no political party could realistically expect to win a presidential election without first putting its internal affairs in order and strengthening its grassroots presence.

According to the former Rivers State governor, the PDP's lingering internal crisis has weakened the party and made its path back to power more difficult.

"I have told you that the PDP had a problem. Now, having that problem is not easy. To put yourself back to winning the presidential election is not an easy task," he said.

He stressed that rebuilding the party should begin from the grassroots, urging party members to focus on strengthening ward and state structures before setting their sights on the presidency.

"You are not even talking about the ward election; it is difficult. What is more paramount to us is to build the party, show what you can do at the state level, get the ones you build and put the pieces together," Wike stated.

The FCT minister also criticised the notion that Nigeria's democracy revolves around the participation of a few prominent opposition politicians.

According to him, democratic governance should not be measured solely by whether former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi contest elections.

"The only way people now say there is democracy is if the ADC or NDC participate in the election. Democracy, for us in Nigeria, has now been defined by whether Atiku participates or whether Peter Obi participates.

"If they don't participate, people say there is no democracy. Democracy is not about only Atiku contesting or only Peter Obi contesting," he said.

Wike maintained that winning a presidential election requires years of planning, extensive mobilisation, and a functional political structure across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

"You have not even put your house in order, yet you want to win a presidential election. Do you know what it takes to have structures in all 36 states? Do you know what it takes to campaign across the country? Is it a two-month programme? It's not," he said.

He urged opposition parties to prioritise building strong political institutions, performing well in state elections, and consolidating their support base before pursuing national power.

"What is more paramount to us Nigerians? Build a party, see what you can do at the state level, get the 
votes you can get, put your pieces together, then prepare," he added.

Wike also dismissed allegations previously made by some members of the PDP that he was working for 
the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). "Was I not the one who was accused of being an agent of APC? Those who accused me, where are they? I am still here. Everybody knows what I have said. I have not hidden it, and I have told our party, 'Let's put our house in order,'" he said.

Reiterating his position, the minister argued that electoral success cannot be achieved through short-term preparations, noting that building a nationwide political structure requires sustained effort and strategic planning.

"Do you know what it takes to have structures in 36 states? Even people who want to run for governor in their own state know the amount of planning involved. It is not an easy thing," Wike said.