Wike Blasts PDP Acting Chairman: “You Can’t Direct the National Secretary”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has openly rebuked the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, over his attempt to direct the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, to resume duties at the PDP National Secretariat.

Speaking during the commissioning of the newly constructed interchange bridge on Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) over the Murtala Mohammed Expressway, Wike criticized Damagum’s directive, asserting that the National Secretary is not his appointee and does not require his permission to function.

“I watched on national television and heard when the Acting National Chairman of PDP was directing the National Secretary to resume,” Wike said. “The National Secretary is not your appointee. He has been doing his work, so you can’t call him to resume because of the illegalities you perpetrate.”

Wike, a former PDP governor and influential figure within the party, accused Damagum of failing to provide effective leadership and blamed him for the internal crisis rocking the party. “You didn’t show leadership—that is why you put yourself where you are. It’s nobody’s making,” he stated.

The FCT Minister also criticized the recent visit of Damagum and other PDP leaders to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where they reportedly sought guidance on enforcing a Supreme Court ruling. Wike described the move as a demonstration of ignorance.

“If because of your ignorance of the law—too bad. The law does not recognize your ignorance,” Wike said. “A political party now goes to ask INEC what to do, and INEC has to tell them to obey a Supreme Court judgment. It’s most unfortunate.”

He cautioned party leaders against acting out of ego or self-interest, especially over access to party funds. “Money does not solve all problems,” Wike warned. “If you want to learn, come and meet us—we will teach you how to go about it.”

Wike’s remarks come amid ongoing power struggles within the PDP ahead of critical political decisions in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.