The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the lingering crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is “temporarily over,” attributing the calm to the exit of what he described as “buccaneers and vampires” from the party.
Speaking during a live media chat monitored in Abuja on Monday, Wike said his unwavering resistance to impunity helped purge the PDP of elements bent on personal gain. He emphasized that the party must now accept the outcome of the recent South South Zonal Congress, which produced Chief Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman, or risk plunging into another round of internal crisis.
“There are still some things remaining, which I have told them they must do. One is our South-South Zonal Congress, which we must uphold. There’s no two ways about it,” Wike said.
He criticized the party’s acting National Chairman for attempting to discredit the congress after it had been held in Calabar, accusing him of writing to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) days later to claim the congress was postponed.
“Congress was held on the 5th. Then, on the 8th, you said it has been postponed. That’s unacceptable. The National Vice Chairman of the PDP South-South is Chief Dan Orbih. If they don’t agree, that’s another round of crisis,” he warned.
Wike also dismissed the legitimacy of the South East Congress that produced Ali Odefa, arguing that a court had already affirmed Odefa was no longer a PDP member.
Direct Hit on Atiku
In a direct jab at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Wike accused the 2023 PDP presidential candidate of being fixated on securing a presidential ticket at all costs.
“Atiku left the PDP because he knew he wouldn’t get the party’s 2027 presidential ticket. He’s now doing everything possible to clinch the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” Wike alleged, describing Atiku’s political journey as one of serial defections driven solely by ambition.
“He was in PDP in 1999, then joined the AC, later returned to PDP, moved to APC, came back to PDP, and now he’s aligning with ADC. It’s all about getting the ticket,” he said.
Rejection of David Mark as PDP Chair
Wike further revealed that he and other PDP stakeholders had opposed the idea of making former Senate President David Mark the party’s national chairman, citing lack of impact during his time in office.
“There was pressure for David Mark to be PDP chairman, but we refused. What would he bring to the table? He was Senate President for eight years—what changed?” he queried.
Wike said he preferred fresh faces with clear visions over recycled politicians, accusing some of Nigeria’s longest-serving leaders of doing little to salvage the country when they had the chance.
“I won’t listen to anyone who’s been in power for decades but failed to improve Nigeria. Now you say we need to rescue the country? You had the chance. You didn’t,” he said bluntly.
Final Warning
The FCT Minister concluded by warning PDP leadership to resolve lingering issues before the party’s national convention in November or face renewed crisis. He insisted that impunity would no longer be tolerated and that the party must adhere to internal democracy and court rulings.
Comments