The minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, has declared that whoever that is calling for reconciliation in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, must do so with honesty and sincerity, adding that his camp remained firmly in control of the party’s machinery.
Buoyed by Monday’s Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the November 15 and 16, 2025 National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, and the Federal High Court, Ibadan judgement, which affirmed the current National Caretaker Working Committee leadership structure, Wike maintained that while his camp is open to reconciliation, it will only do so as a dominant force.
“PDP will never die. There comes a time that you have crises, but those grains are for you to put yourself in order. Life is in stages. For me, what is happening is a natural process that we must pass through as humans. We are for reconciliation, but genuine reconciliation”, he said.
He challenged his rivals to be transparent about their intentions and warned against clandestine maneuvers.
Addressing Senate Minority leader, Abba Moro, Wike said; “when you are talking about reconciliation, come with your terms of reconciliation so that we will know.
“Concrete proposal, not like the last time you came to me and before I knew it, you were in Ibadan for the convention. I don’t like those who go to negotiate at night and come out to shout in the day. Let those coming for peace come in the daytime and not at nighttime.”
He further dismissed accusations that his role in the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration made him a “mole” within the PDP.
“It was as if I was the cause of the problem because I am working in an APC administration, but all the ones who accused me are today in APC, and me that they accused has not left the PDP,” the minister noted.
Wike stood firm on the party’s upcoming National Convention, rejecting any suggestions of forming a new caretaker committee to appease aggrieved members.
He emphasized that the logistics for the transition are already finalized.
“The party is working hard for the convention to hold. They have paid the necessary fees. They have secured the venue. So, let nobody bring another suggestion that we should form another caretaker committee. I won’t accept that. Convention must hold and we will allow everybody to participate,” he asserted.
Addressing those threatening further legal action at the apex court, he remarked, “They said they are going to the Supreme Court, it is okay. The court is for everybody. Even in table tennis, one must lose. There is no tie in this game. We have the upper hand and we will tell you this is what we want.”
Earlier, Senator Moro, while acknowledging Wike’s indispensable role in the party, pleaded for a middle ground.
He revealed he had met with the faction led by the Tanimu Turaki earlier in the day to seek a resolution.
“I bring you solidarity from the National Assembly. I want to reiterate very emphatically here that the NASS caucus of our great party has always been in the forefront of having a united PDP.
“Crisis has rocked the PDP over some time and the NASS caucus under my leadership and Hon. Kingsley Chinda resolved that we must provide a platform so that we can act as one,” he said.
Moro urged members to prioritize the party’s survival over personal ambitions: “Whether I contest election in 2027 or not, the survival of PDP is paramount to me. I cannot abandon it. Everybody should accept some level of sacrifices.”
In his remarks, House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, described the Monday Court of Appeal judgment as a lifeline for the party’s future.
“For us, we are happy that the judgment of Monday is not just for PDP but for democracy in the country.
“You have seen the exodus of our members in the past just because of the fear of the viability of the platform, but Monday’s judgment has laid all that to rest.
“We want to assure you that within a short time in the House of Representatives, you will see people defecting to the PDP”, he declared.
Chinda also echoed the need for fairness in the peace process, stating, “Yes, we crave for peace, but whoever seeks peace must also seek justice. That is the only thing that can give us sustained peace.”
Chairman of the Imo State chapter of the party, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, who chairs the party’s Forum of State Chairman, noted that the grassroots leadership is aligned with the current trajectory.
He also urged the party to move towards technical modernization in terms of party membership, ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“My colleagues who are state chairmen said they are very pleased with the way things are going on now in the party. We also wish to ask the party to critically look at the Amended Electoral Act, particularly with membership registration. We urge that the party takes this very serious,” he stated.
The meeting was attended by prominent party figures, including former governors Dr. Samuel Ortom and Dr. Ifeanyi Ikpeazu; Caretaker Committee Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed; Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu; and Board of Trustees BoT Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa among others.
