The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party escalated on Wednesday night as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared that his faction currently controls the party’s machinery.
The declaration was made during the 106th National Executive Committee meeting organised by the faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed in Abuja.
Wike’s assertion followed Monday’s judgment by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria which affirmed the existing caretaker leadership arrangement within the party.
Wike Calls for Genuine Reconciliation
Addressing party members, the minister said his camp remains open to reconciliation but insisted that any peace effort must acknowledge its dominant position within the party.
“PDP will never die,” Wike declared, describing the internal conflict as part of the political process the party must overcome.
He added that reconciliation must be genuine and based on concrete proposals from opposing factions.
Minister Challenges Critics
Taking a swipe at the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, Wike challenged those advocating peace to present clear terms for reconciliation.
The minister warned against what he described as secret negotiations and urged party leaders to pursue dialogue openly.
Responding to allegations that he serves as a “mole” because he works in an administration led by the All Progressives Congress, Wike dismissed the claim.
According to him, some of those who once accused him of undermining the PDP have since defected to the APC.
Convention Plans Already Finalised
On preparations for the party’s national convention, Wike insisted that arrangements have already been concluded and rejected calls to set up another caretaker committee.
He said the party had completed key logistics, including payment of necessary fees and securing a venue for the convention.
Wike also stated that those dissatisfied with the appellate court ruling were free to seek redress at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Moro Appeals for Unity
Earlier in his remarks, Moro acknowledged Wike’s influence within the party while calling for compromise among the factions.
He revealed that he had earlier met with the group aligned with Kabiru Turaki in an attempt to broker peace.
The Senate Minority Leader added that the National Assembly caucus of the PDP has continued to advocate unity within the party.
Moro urged members to prioritise the survival of the party above individual political ambitions ahead of future elections.
Appeal Court Ruling Sparks Hope
Similarly, the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, described the Court of Appeal ruling as a positive development for the party and Nigeria’s democracy.
Chinda expressed optimism that the judgment would restore confidence in the PDP and possibly attract new defections from other political parties.
He emphasised that genuine peace must be anchored on fairness and justice to ensure lasting stability within the party.
Several prominent party figures attended the meeting, including former governors Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ikpeazu.
Other attendees included the caretaker committee chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, party secretary Sam Anyanwu, and Board of Trustees chairman Mao Ohuabunwa.
