A senior Peoples Democratic Party official has dismissed claims about Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s nationwide influence within the party, arguing that his relevance is confined to political circles in the nation’s capital rather than grassroots party structures across the country.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, PDP chieftain Jacob Mark drew a sharp distinction between Wike’s perceived influence in Abuja and his actual standing in state-level party operations nationwide.
“In Abuja, maybe they have a problem with him or they have a relationship with him. But we don’t know him in my state and in several states in the country,” Mark stated, challenging narratives about the governor’s broader party influence.
To emphasize his point, Mark cited specific examples of states where he claimed Wike lacks meaningful political presence or influence within PDP structures.
“Go to Plateau, go to Benue, go to any other state. Wike is unknown,” he declared.
The PDP leader suggested that Wike’s continued claims to party relevance stem primarily from his interactions with national-level politicians in Abuja, rather than substantive engagement with party activities.
“But the people in Abuja probably keep going to his guest house as he keeps saying that they had a meeting in this guest house and that guest house and they keep holding meetings,” Mark observed. “Maybe that is what gives him legitimacy to claim membership of the party.”
While maintaining a diplomatic tone toward Wike personally, Mark expressed concern about what he sees as enabling behavior from party officials at the national level.
“I don’t begrudge him. But that carelessness must remain at the limit where it is—at that national secretariat where people are relating with him and giving him comfort to do whatever he is doing,” he concluded.
The comments reflect ongoing tensions within the PDP about the role of high-profile members who maintain complex relationships with the party while serving in opposing political administrations.
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