“We’ll Apply the Big Stick”: PDP to Punish Wike, Other Members Endorsing Tinubu

• Ahead of the 2027 elections, the Peoples Democratic Party announced its possible action against top party leaders endorsing President Bola Tinubu's re-election
• The PDP South-South zone caretaker committee, Emmanuel Ogidi, revealed this during an interview on Tuesday
• Ogidi spoke weeks after Wike described himself as a key asset in helping Tinubu win the 2027 election

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South zone caretaker committee, Emmanuel Ogidi, has vowed that the party won’t hesitate to discipline members found engaging in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ogidi, made this known during an interview on Channels TV's The Morning Brief on Tuesday, August 26.

He dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) influenced the recent zoning of the PDP presidential ticket to the South.

When asked about the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and other PDP members, who have openly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 elections, Ogidi said:

Read also

Breaking: PDP zones 2027 presidential ticket, details emerge

“We are watching our members, and of course, any party that does not have discipline cannot succeed. We will discipline any erring members.”

Atiku's resignation: Our doors are always open - PDP

Recall that in June 2025, Atiku Abubakar dumped the PDP and joined forces with other major opposition leaders, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, to form a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The alliance is expected to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Reacting, Ogidi maintained that the PDP would continue to engage aggrieved members but would not tolerate deliberate acts of sabotage.

“We are on reconciliation. If it doesn’t work, then we are going to apply the big stick. As for those who have left, our doors are always open,” he warned.

Damagum confirmed as PDP national chairman

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the leadership of the PDP confirmed Ambassador Umar Damagum as the party’s substantive national chairman.

Read also

PDP NEC takes decision on Damagum as national chairman

The decision was taken at the ongoing 102nd national executive committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja on Monday, August 25.

The national legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, conducted the swearing ceremony, ahead of the national elective convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Read more about the PDP, 2027 election here:

• 2027 elections: “Nigerians have rejected your party,” APC fires back at PDP governors
• “I’ll run for presidency,” Atiku declares ahead of 2027 election
• “Wait till 2035,” Ohanaeze tells Igbo candidates, backs Tinubu’s re-election

PDP 2027 ticket: Wike speaks on candidate he will support

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the FCT minister, Wike, disclosed who he will support in 2027.

Wike explained that he would support a candidate who would make Nigeria grow and protect the interests of the country.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wike noted that his choice is aimed at preventing Nigeria from going backwards.

Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng