…says Fubara’s peace moves yet to meet desired conditions
Ahead of the 2027 general election, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory Minister (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to learn from the miscalculations that made it lose out in the last election.
He cited the tussle over the party’s national secretaryship as one of such glaring mistakes pointing out that any wise political observer knows that allowing Senator Sam Anyanwu to remain as secretary until the party holds a valid national convention is the best joker.
As part of the self-revival strategy, the PDP on Monday added 39 fresh members to its Board of Trustees (BoT).
Over 50 percent of members of the board have become inactive as 85 out of 127 PDP BoT members hardly attend meetings.
Chairman of the board, Adulphus Wabara, stressed the importance of the inauguration of the new member as he stated that it is, “particularly significant as we prepare to navigate the evolving political landscape and work tirelessly to restore the PDP as the foremost party in Nigeria. The task ahead is demanding, but with unity, determination, and unwavering commitment to the principles of democracy, we shall overcome”.
The inauguration of more members aimed at reenergizing the board amid rising internal challenges.
Section 31(5) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) mandates the BoT to work as the conscience of the party, responsible for maintaining high standards of morality and image, advising on policy direction, mediating disputes, and safeguarding party assets.
On Sunday, PDP’s Governors Forum set up a special committee led by former President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to do a final reconciliation work to facilitate a hitch-free meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) on May, 27, 2025
The FCT Minister, who spoke during a live media chat monitored by our correspondent observed that holding a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) without a valid secretary could jeopardize its political existence because the Supreme Court had already set aside the appeal court judgement that sacked Anyanwu
“I will challenge the outcome of any meeting of NEC held without Anyanwu serving as secretary” he said.
According to Wike, the PDP must be careful not to run into similar traps it entered before the 2023 election when it produced the National chairman and presidential candidate from the same region.
Warning PDP leaders about the consequences of what he called “exclusionary politics and internal manipulation”, Wike said, “If PDP doesn’t take care, watch out for what will happen because selfish interest can kill an organization. You haven’t won an election, but you are excluding people.”
According to him, the same miscalculations that cost the PDP dearly in 2023 are being repeated.
“You want to play the same game you played in 2023; it will backfire. I have told people that this smartness will not help you. Wike is telling you now to stop this smartness.
He refused to make disclosures on decisions reached at the PDP Governors and stakeholders meeting on Sunday night simply said he wished PDP well.
The FCT Minister accused the PDP leadership of tolerating impunity and failing to function like a serious opposition party ready to challenge the ruling APC.
He said, “No opposition party allows impunity; it’s only the ruling party. The opposition is going to organize itself to take over the affairs of government. How many times have they made efforts? How many people have you wooed? Rather, they are after Wike; they abandoned what they are supposed to do – the only crime is that Wike is a minister under the APC government”.
Listing his own achievements, Wike said, “I’m the only former governor who did not support the presidential candidate but made sure PDP won 100 percent in the governorship, State Assembly, and National Assembly. Let any sitting governor or former governor come out to say that happened in their states.”
He expressed deep concern over what he described as the party’s self-inflicted wounds and leadership failure.
“Leadership is key, if you don’t show the right leadership, you will suffer for it, and this is what I have been saying,” Wike stated, lamenting what he perceives as a vacuum of strategic direction in the party.
He criticized the backlash faced by the current governor of Delta State and his predecessor over their political choices, particularly the decision to support President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.
Wike said, “When people talk about the governor of Delta State and his predecessor moving out of PDP to APC, what wrong did he do? That he said he was going to support Tinubu, that was the crime.”
He further questioned the silence over similar political alignments within the PDP itself.
“But the Chairman of the BoT, who is the conscience of the party, adopted Otti for a second tenure. Why are people not commenting about that?
The Chairman of PDP BoT adopted Alex Otti, governor under Labour Party, for a second tenure.”
He accused the PDP leadership of tolerating impunity and failing to function like a serious opposition party ready to challenge the ruling APC.
Wike said, “No opposition party allows impunity; it’s only the ruling party. The opposition is going to organize itself to take over the affairs of government.
How many times have they made efforts? How many people have you wooed? Rather, they are after Wike; they abandoned what they are supposed to do – the only crime is that Wike is a minister under the APC government.”
Highlighting his own contributions, Wike reminded the party of his political strength during the 2023 general elections.
He said, “I’m the only former governor who did not support the presidential candidate but made sure PDP won 100 percent in the governorship, State Assembly, and National Assembly. Let any sitting governor or former governor come out to say that happened in their states.”
He issued a stern warning to PDP leaders about the consequences of exclusionary politics and internal manipulation.
Read Also: Wike attends PDP leaders’ meeting in Abuja
The minister said, “If PDP doesn’t take care, watch out for what will happen because selfish interest can kill an organization. You haven’t won an election, but you are excluding people.”
The FCT Minister also provided insight into the peace parley he had with the suspended Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, saying the latter had come to visit him, accompanied by two governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He declared that Fubara did not show capacity to make peace, adding that; “I told him I don’t think you really have the capacity to make this peace”.
According to the minister, Fubara cannot be suing for peace while his lieutenants are busy all over television stations abusing others.
He said the suspended governor, apart from meeting him, must take steps to meet other stakeholders like the State Assembly, the Party, and other stakeholders for peace to reign.
Wike also described the defection of Ifeanyi Okowa, former Governor of Delta State, to the APC as a smart move.
Wike, who described Okowa as a smart politician, said he was surprised that the PDP didn’t see his defection coming.
The minister said Okowa did not want to live in pretence, supporting President Bola Tinubu while still in the PDP.
He said, “If you don’t show leadership, you suffer for it.
“This is what I’ve been saying. When people talk about the governor of Delta State and his deputy and all his team moved out of PDP to APC. What? What wrong did he do?
“I’m surprised that PDP said they didn’t see it coming. I won’t call the names of the governors. I call them. I said, ‘Listen, the way things are going, I have warned you people’. You said they are governors. I have no problem. Let’s see what will happen.”
