Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken a swipe at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he was surprised the party was still in existence and urging the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to “allow it to die.”

Akpabio made the remarks on Wednesday while representing President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of the newly completed Akinwumi Ajibola Street in the Gaduwa District of Abuja. His comments came as he acknowledged dignitaries present at the event, including Senator Olaka Nwogu, who recently won the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election on the PDP platform.

“I didn’t know that there was still PDP. Wike, stop confusing us. If a party has died, allow it to die,” Akpabio said.

He went on to add that he would not comment on the PDP’s National Working Committee, saying, “Anything that has died has died.”

The Senate President’s remarks appeared to reference Wike’s continued membership of the PDP despite serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government. Wike has remained a controversial figure within the opposition party due to his close working relationship with the Tinubu administration.

The comments drew a swift response from the PDP, which rejected Akpabio’s assertion that the party was “dead.” In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Jungudo, the party described the Senate President’s remarks as “political wishful thinking.”

According to the PDP, it remains “alive, strong, and rebuilding,” citing recent electoral victories, including the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election, as well as what it described as growing political support across several states. The party argued that these developments demonstrate its continued relevance ahead of future elections.

Akpabio’s remarks have since generated widespread political reactions, adding to the ongoing debate over the state of Nigeria’s opposition politics and Wike’s role within the PDP while serving in the APC-led administration.