The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President David Mark of attempting to hijack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their personal interests.
Speaking during his monthly media chat, Wike alleged that both Atiku and Mark made concerted efforts to seize control of the PDP’s national chairmanship but were firmly resisted.
“There is nothing Atiku and co didn’t do to take over the national chairmanship of the PDP. We stood firm and said no, it won’t happen,” Wike stated.
He further criticized their approach to internal party politics, saying: “The position of secretary, which is the lifeline of any political party, also became a point of contention. When they didn’t get that, the conversation shifted to forming a coalition.”
Wike questioned Atiku’s political credibility and loyalty to the PDP, pointing to his history of party-switching. “Atiku was Vice President for eight years. He left PDP in 2002 for the Action Congress, moved to the APC, and now to the ADC. How can an elder statesman keep jumping ship? What will you tell your children?” he asked.
He also challenged Atiku’s influence in his home state. “He is from Adamawa. Why didn’t his governor support him? Why didn’t Bala Mohammed join him?” Wike queried.
Dismissing the claims that he manipulated the emergence of PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, Wike said: “Am I the one who elected Anyanwu at the National Convention? He was elected democratically.”
According to Wike, the recent exit of key figures like Atiku marks a turning point for the PDP. “The buccaneers and vampires who never meant well for the PDP have left,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing the loyalty of the South-South and South-East regions to the PDP. “Since 1999, it is the South-South and South-East that have kept this party alive because of the nature of our politics,” he declared.
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