…as PDP NEC adopts no victor, no vanquished stance
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has taken a strong swipe at Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, declaring that the governor engaged in a political battle he lacked the capacity to finish.
Speaking at the 107th National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday night, Wike mocked Makinde’s reliance on contracts and judicial orders, stating that politics and corporate contracts are fundamentally different.
Wike warned that he would not tolerate opportunistic politicians who only demonstrate commitment when seeking the party’s platform for elections.
Referencing Makinde, the minister stated that the governor opted for financial gains through a alleged contract worth over $1.7 million instead of pursuing political power, advising him to stick to being a contractor.
He further challenged Makinde’s allegations of judicial manipulation, pointing out that the Oyo governor had equally secured a favourable court injunction in Ibadan.
Wike issued a warning to fence-sitters, stressing that anyone who fails to show full commitment to the upcoming convention will not be welcomed back into the fold.
He urged aspirants not to be intimidated by the absence of gubernatorial support or federal might, drawing from his own experience of winning the Rivers State governorship without the backing of an incumbent.
Meanwhile, the PDP leadership at the NEC meeting resolved to approach the March 29 and 30 elective national convention as a unified body, adopting a no victor, no vanquished resolution to heal internal divisions.
In a communiqué signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the National Caretaker Working Committee, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the NEC officially ratified the reports from the recently concluded ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses.
Mohammed praised Wike for his doggedness and uncommon sacrifices in keeping the party structures intact through recent legal and political hurdles.
The meeting also affirmed the party’s zoning formula for national elective positions, with Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa urging members to prioritize the greater good of the party over individual interests.
Legislative leaders present at the meeting echoed the call for discipline, expressing confidence that the PDP is fully prepared to provide purposeful leadership ahead of the 2027 polls.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has convened a pivotal stakeholders’ meeting aimed at shaping the strategy of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Held at the Local Government Service Commission within the State Secretariat in Ibadan, the strategic gathering brought together top party leaders, key government appointees, and influential figures within the Oyo State chapter of the PDP.
Discussions at the session are expected to center heavily on the ongoing governorship aspirant screening exercise, its preliminary outcomes, the upcoming primary elections, and the party’s broader electoral roadmap.
According to key party stakeholders who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the governor’s approach underscores a strong determination to maintain internal unity while positioning the PDP to secure victory in what is anticipated to be a fiercely contested governorship race.
As of the time of filing this report, members of the press were asked to vacate the venue to allow for confidential deliberations, with the governor reportedly en route to join the closed-door session.
Further developments and strategic directions are expected to be announced following the conclusion of the high-level meeting.
