The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains firmly in control of the party’s structure amid the ongoing leadership crisis.
Speaking during the 106th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed in Abuja, Wike said his camp is willing to reconcile with aggrieved members but only from a position of strength.
He described the crisis in the party as a normal phase in political development, stressing that the PDP would survive the current internal struggles.
Wike also challenged the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, to present clear terms for reconciliation, warning against secret negotiations and political maneuvering.
The FCT minister dismissed claims that his role in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu makes him a “mole” in the opposition party. According to him, some of those who previously accused him of working against the PDP have since defected to the ruling party, while he has remained.
On the party’s planned national convention, Wike rejected suggestions that a new caretaker committee should be formed to appease dissatisfied members. He insisted that preparations for the convention have already been completed, including securing a venue and paying the required fees, and that the convention must go ahead with full participation from members.
Reacting to the ongoing tensions, Moro acknowledged Wike’s influence in the party and urged members to prioritize unity. He revealed that he had met with another faction earlier in the day to explore possible solutions and called on members to make sacrifices for the survival of the PDP.
Similarly, House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda said the recent Court of Appeal judgment affirming the current caretaker leadership had restored confidence in the party. He expressed optimism that some lawmakers who left the party might soon return.
Party leaders at the meeting emphasized the need for reconciliation based on fairness and justice, while also calling for reforms, including modernization of the party’s membership registration system ahead of future elections.
