The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has laid out essential conditions for the upcoming national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a bid to restore harmony within the party.
In a recent media interaction, Wike, who affirmed his commitment to the PDP, stated that the ongoing crises must be resolved by adhering to the resolutions made during the south-south zonal congress held in Calabar prior to the convention scheduled for November.
“If they wish to invite further discord, so be it. That congress determined that Chief Dan Orbih should serve as the National Vice Chairman for the South-south. The court permitted the congress to convene, and it was duly held. However, the acting National Chairman of the Party sent a letter to INEC claiming the congress had been postponed before it took place,” Wike explained.
“The congress was conducted on Saturday, the 15th, yet he sent a letter on the 8th claiming postponement. Chief Dan Orbih is the rightful National Vice Chairman for the PDP in the South-south. Should there be disagreement over this, it will only lead to further crises.
“Moreover, the congress from the south-east that appointed Chief Ali Odefa as the National Vice Chairman is invalidated as the court has ruled that Odefa is no longer a member of the party.
“I have made it clear that I will not tolerate impunity and will continue to fight against it until rectified. There is still an opportunity to address these issues before we discuss the convention. If unresolved, it will serve as an invitation for crisis,” Wike cautioned.
Additionally, Wike revealed on Monday that the current state of emergency in Rivers State will soon come to an end, indicating that President Bola Tinubu is not inclined to prolong the emergency declaration.
Wike expressed optimism regarding the presidential directive mandating local council elections within 30 days, in contrast to the anticipated 360 days. He also took the opportunity to criticise former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, labelling him an unrepentant defector.
He indicated that the six-month state of emergency in Rivers might soon be lifted following President Tinubu’s directive for local government elections, noting that extending the emergency rule would not benefit the people of Rivers.
Wike affirmed that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Rivers State administrator, possesses the constitutional authority to oversee elections and reinstating democratic governance at the local level.
In a sharp critique of Atiku, Wike asserted that political opportunism is ingrained in Atiku, who he claims is one of the architects of the coalition opposing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027.
“Let’s not forget, Atiku was part of the PDP back in 1999. Under Obasanjo, he faced challenges, subsequently joining the ACN, led by Bola Tinubu, who is now president. After his stint with ACN, he returned to the PDP, only to later switch back to the APC and then back to the PDP again, all in pursuit of a presidential ticket! Now, he’s moved to the ADC,” he remarked.
Wike also dismissed claims that Atiku’s move to the ADC was motivated by a desire to save Nigeria, pointing out that Atiku had served as Vice-President for eight years and chaired the National Economic Council under President Obasanjo.
He further derided Atiku and other coalition leaders for their shift to the APC, claiming it stemmed from their diminishing influence within the PDP.
“Everything revolves around presidential ambitions. Given the current state of the PDP, it’s unlikely that Atiku will secure the ticket, leaving him feeling uneasy. Hence, he suggests forming a coalition against Tinubu because he cannot secure the presidential ticket within the PDP,” Wike asserted.
Wike also targeted the interim National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, stating that the proposal to impose Mark as the National Chairman of PDP representing North Central was rejected prior to the crisis that led to the party’s defeat in the 2023 elections.
“We refused. What change could he possibly bring to the party? He served as Senate President for eight years; what improvements were made? I prefer someone without a lengthy history in power,” Wike concluded.
### Wike Demands Accountability Ahead of PDP National Convention
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has articulated new demands for the forthcoming national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasising the necessity for unity within the party.
During a media briefing, Wike, who reiterated his loyalty to the PDP, underscored that the ongoing disputes must be settled by honouring the resolutions from the south-south zonal congress in Calabar prior to the convention set for November.
“If they are seeking to incite further conflict, so be it. The congress determined that Chief Dan Orbih should serve as the National Vice Chairman for the South-south. The court permitted the congress, which was successfully convened. Nevertheless, the acting National Chairman of the Party submitted a letter to INEC claiming the congress had been postponed,” Wike stated.
“The congress occurred on Saturday, the 15th, yet he wrote to INEC on the 8th asserting a postponement. Chief Dan Orbih is the legitimate National Vice Chairman for the PDP in the South-south, and any disagreement will only lead to more crises.
“Additionally, the south-east congress that appointed Chief Ali Odefa as National Vice Chairman is invalid due to a court ruling stating that Odefa is no longer a party member.
“I have made it clear that I will not permit impunity and will continue to fight for rectification. There is still time for resolution before we discuss the convention. If not resolved, it will serve as an invitation for crisis,” Wike warned.
Wike also announced on Monday that the ongoing state of emergency in Rivers State would soon be lifted, indicating that President Bola Tinubu is not inclined to extend the emergency declaration.
Wike expressed positivity about the presidential directive mandating local council elections within a 30-day timeframe, rather than the anticipated 360 days. He also took the opportunity to criticise former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, labelling him a consistent turncoat.
He indicated that the six-month state of emergency in Rivers might soon be lifted following President Tinubu’s directive for local government elections, asserting that extending the emergency would not serve the interests of Rivers’ residents.
Wike confirmed that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Rivers State administrator, has the constitutional authority to oversee elections and reestablish democratic governance at the local level.
In a scathing critique of Atiku, Wike argued that political opportunism is entrenched in Atiku, whom he accused of being one of the key figures in the coalition against President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
“Let’s not forget, Atiku was part of the PDP back in 1999. Under Obasanjo, he faced challenges, subsequently joining the ACN, led by Bola Tinubu, who is now president. After his tenure in ACN, he returned to the PDP, only to later switch back to the APC and then back to the PDP again, all in pursuit of a presidential ticket! Now, he’s moved to the ADC,” he remarked.
Wike also dismissed claims that Atiku’s shift to the ADC was motivated by a desire to rescue Nigeria, highlighting that Atiku had served as Vice-President for eight years and chaired the National Economic Council under President Obasanjo.
He further ridiculed Atiku and other coalition leaders for their departure to the APC, asserting that it stemmed from their diminishing authority within the PDP.
“Everything revolves around presidential ambitions. Given the current state of the PDP, it’s unlikely that Atiku will secure the ticket, leaving him feeling uneasy. Hence, he suggests forming a coalition against Tinubu because he cannot secure the presidential ticket within the PDP,” Wike stated.
Wike also targeted the interim National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, claiming that the proposal to impose Mark as the National Chairman of PDP representing North Central was rejected prior to the crisis that led to the party’s defeat in the 2023 elections.
“We refused. What change could he possibly bring to the party? He served as Senate President for eight years; what improvements were made? I prefer someone without a lengthy history in power,” Wike concluded.
