The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that the internal crisis that had long plagued the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come to an end, signaling a fresh phase of reconciliation and political realignment within the opposition party.
Speaking at a media parley in Abuja, Wike announced that the party’s doors are now fully open to aggrieved and former members willing to return, emphasizing unity as a prerequisite for rebuilding the PDP ahead of future political contests.
The former Rivers State governor downplayed the severity of the party’s recent divisions, likening politics to a football game rather than a battle for survival.
According to him, the perception of politics as a “do-or-die” affair had been a major obstacle to reconciliation.
“As far as I’m concerned, the convention has come and gone. People are trooping in. I will say, the door is open. Yes, we have had crisis. Now the crisis is over. Do we still have to shut our doors? No. Certainly not,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that Wike’s remarks come in the wake of tensions generated by the PDP’s recent national convention, which had exposed deep-seated disagreements among party stakeholders.
However, the minister insisted that the period of internal wrangling has passed, urging members to move forward in the collective interest of the party.
He revealed that several defectors have already indicated interest in returning, attributing the shift to what he described as a more accommodating and stable political atmosphere within the PDP.
In a subtle rebuke of entrenched political rivalries, Wike argued that disagreements within the party were not irreparable fractures but mere misunderstandings that could be resolved through sincerity and dialogue.
“Politics is not a fight to finish. It’s like a game, like football. If you see it as do-or-die, it becomes difficult to reconcile.
For us, it’s not that way,” he said.
The minister also used the opportunity to send a clear message to aspiring politicians, warning that political relevance cannot be achieved through mere ambition or title, but through consistent engagement and visible grassroots efforts.
“There’s no doubt that we have a lot of work to do, but what is important is that we have put the convention behind us,” he added.
Wike’s declaration is widely seen as a strategic move to consolidate the PDP’s base and reposition it as a formidable force in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, as the party seeks to recover from recent setbacks and reassert its influence nationally.