Respect party constitution, no opposition party thrives on impunity — Wike warns PDP leaders
…Says PDP made grave mistakes, must course-correct — Ortom
…Laments selfish interests, ego destroying PDP from within
….Insists party national offices must follow zonal allocations
…Makinde absent as FcT Minister leads high-level PDP meeting in Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging a return to constitutional order and an end to what he described as a culture of impunity that has pushed the party to the brink of collapse.
Wike delivered the warning on Monday evening during an emergency meeting of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP” held at his official residence in Abuja. He declared that the PDP’s survival hinges on its willingness to uphold internal democracy, constitutional integrity and the core principles upon which it was founded.
In his opening remarks, Wike said:
“Let me put it on record that those present here truly believe in the PDP’s future. Our party cannot survive by acting with impunity. No opposition party in the world thrives under such conditions.
“The National Chairman is zoned to the North, and the National Secretary to the South. Within these zones, micro-zoning allows regions like North-Central, North-West, or North-East, and South-West, South-East, or South-South to field candidates.”
He pointed to the ongoing leadership disputes and the disregard for zoning arrangements as symptoms of a wider institutional crisis within the party.
According to Wike, the failure to adhere to the zoning formula clearly outlined in the PDP’s constitution is a key reason behind the party’s declining relevance since the 2023 general elections.
While he acknowledged that zoning is a guiding principle, Wike underscored that the party’s national convention remains the final authority on the selection of its national officers.
“INEC does not accept consensus lists without voting. The national convention decides who holds party offices,” he stated, directly challenging internal efforts to appoint leaders without due electoral process.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State who now serves under the APC-led federal government, also defended the actions of the G5 Governors during the 2023 presidential election.
The group, made up of former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), had publicly withheld support from PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar due to disagreements over zoning.
“Today, this country is stable because of the actions of the G5 Governors. You may like us, you may hate us, but the truth is that if the G5 had not made the decision we did, Nigeria could have been plunged into crisis,” Wike said.
“It doesn’t matter who the beneficiary was. The point is that the right thing had to be done, and we still stand by that decision,” he added, describing the group’s decision as a necessary step to safeguard the Nigerian state.
He went on to condemn what he called “double standards” in the PDP’s disciplinary procedures. He singled out Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, accusing him of contesting the governorship while still serving as the state party chairman.
“The Governor of Taraba State was the Chairman of the party. He never resigned,” Wike said. “Kefas, wherever you are, hear me today. It was only when he won as governor that he appointed his successor. Is that not correct?”
He also criticised Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi for reportedly remaining in office after contesting, and losing, the governorship primary in Kebbi State.
Calling for a reset within the PDP, Wike insisted the party must recommit itself to the values of fairness, inclusion and unity.
Also addressing the meeting, former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom backed Wike, describing him as the PDP’s most dedicated supporter in recent years.
“He who pays the piper dictates the tune. I challenge anyone in Nigeria to tell Nigerians who has contributed more to the PDP than Wike,” Ortom said.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Wike as FCT Minister, calling it a “pragmatic step” to prevent the emergence of a one-party state in Nigeria.
“For whatever reason, PDP made a lot of mistakes, and we are where we are today,” Ortom added, urging party leaders to embrace reconciliation and recommit to democratic ideals.
The absence of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the fifth member of the G5, was noted by several attendees, although no official explanation was provided.
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