‘Wike budgeted $30,000 to buy delegates in PDP presidential primary election’ – Dele Momodu

Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine and a former presidential aspirant, has alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, budgeted $30,000 per delegate to influence the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election held in 2022.

Momodu made the claim while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday. He said he was warned by a former Nigerian president not to waste resources contesting the primary due to Wike’s massive financial deployment.

“A former president of Nigeria sent someone to tell me not to waste my money on the PDP 2022 primaries because Wike had raised the stakes to $30k per delegate; $30k multiplied by 774 delegates,” Momodu said.

He expressed disappointment over what he described as Wike’s unfair approach to the race, stating that the process lacked transparency and competitive integrity. “What I expected of him was that if you weren’t going to support a man, if you’re going to run, run a fair race,” he added.

Commenting on Wike’s character since assuming office as FCT Minister, Momodu said the former Rivers State governor has changed significantly and now displays troubling traits. “When a man who had been a nobody gets power, he begins to change slowly and steadily,” he said.

He recalled that Wike used to show deep respect to former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, noting: “The oppressed man respects only one man: the oppressor. Wike used to respect only one man—Rotimi Amaechi.”

Momodu further alleged that Wike had developed a habit of early drinking and once introduced him to a strong local spirit. “He drinks early in the morning. He introduced me to Akeshi, a strong alcohol, saying it helps him function. This is someone in public office,” he said.

The media entrepreneur concluded with a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning him against empowering Wike ahead of the 2027 elections. “Wike is not the kind of character you should promote; he is not the kind of young man who should hijack our common patrimony,” he said.