Wike vows PDP founders won’t allow defectors to destroy party

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he and other founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not allow defectors and latecomers to “destroy a party they did not build.”

Wike made the remark on Sunday while speaking at the 104th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Abdulrahman Mohammed–led faction of the PDP, held at his official residence in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor criticised the Tanimu Turaki-led faction for allegedly violating subsisting court judgements by organising what he described as an illegal national convention. According to him, the action amounted to a deliberate assault on the rule of law.

He insisted that any party hoping to regain public trust must first demonstrate respect for judicial processes and internal democracy.

Wike accused the faction of ignoring two Federal High Court rulings on the leadership crisis, only to later seek legitimacy through a questionable order from a State High Court.

“You went to a State High Court to sue INEC, asking that your convention must hold,” he said.

“You even got an ex parte order to override judgments of the Federal High Court. How do you disobey two final judgments and still claim leadership?”

He further faulted the group for returning to yet another court to seek validation after failing to obey earlier rulings.

“You held a convention against court orders, and now you are back asking a Federal High Court to recognise you. If INEC already recognises you, what exactly are you going to court for?” he queried.

Wike warned that such acts of impunity could endanger the future of the party.

“We must not allow our party to die. Leadership is about sincerity and commitment, not propaganda. If we don’t respect our own laws, how do we expect Nigerians to respect us?” he said.

The minister called on party members to rally behind legally constituted leadership and work together to rebuild the PDP along democratic and constitutional lines.

At the meeting, participants urged the NEC to appoint a Caretaker Committee, noting that the tenure of the current National Working Committee (NWC) expires on Tuesday.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, welcomed the proposal, saying it aligns with the party’s constitution and is vital to maintaining stability, reform, and unity.

He explained that caretaker structures had already been established in states and zones such as Anambra and the South-East, where congresses could not previously be held, stressing that this was necessary to avoid leadership gaps.

At the end of the meeting, the NEC formally announced a 13-member National Caretaker Committee, chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed with Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Secretary.

Other appointed officials include Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) as National Legal Adviser and Umar Bature as National Organising Secretary.

The committee — which also includes Dr Kyari Grema, Janguda Mohammed, Okechukwu Osuana, Sen. Nwogu Olaka, Sen. Sandy Onor, Prof. Adenike Ogunse, Bisi Kolawole, Deji Doherty, and Dr Ibrahim Aboki — has been mandated to run the party for 60 days, during which outstanding congresses must be held and a national convention conducted.
(NAN)