Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has claimed that he forced Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), amid an ongoing political disagreement between the two politicians.
Wike made the statement on Tuesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja, where he responded to Lawal’s earlier reference to him as “that guy” during discussions about the minister’s political activities and support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
The FCT minister claimed that Lawal’s financial resources were insufficient to withstand his influence within the PDP, alleging that the Zamfara governor eventually left the party after failing to prevail in their political dispute.
“Ask the governor of Zamfara State. When he was in PDP, I chased him away. He had money. They couldn’t withstand me,” Wike said.
He further alleged that Lawal had money belonging to another person, although he did not provide details to substantiate the claim.
Wike also criticised Lawal for subsequently joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), recalling that the governor had previously accused him of weakening the PDP to benefit the ruling party.
The dispute is linked to disagreements over Wike’s support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid while maintaining his association with the PDP. Wike has defended his involvement in the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party political platform aimed at mobilising support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
Lawal had previously urged Wike to clarify his political allegiance, arguing that the minister could not simultaneously support the APC at the presidential level and back candidates from other parties in state and legislative elections. He maintained that the APC governors’ position on the matter remained unchanged.
Wike’s latest comments add to the growing exchanges between political figures as parties and alliances position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election. His assertion that he drove Lawal out of the PDP remains Wike’s account of their political disagreement.
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