The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has indicated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency of using Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to undermine and destabilize the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, made this claim during the Monday edition of Politics Today on Channels Television. He asserted that the APC has turned the PDP into a “playground” to exacerbate its internal struggles and extend the turmoil to other opposition parties, positioning Wike as their primary operative.
Ibe stated, “I reaffirm that the efforts to revive the party from its current crisis are still in progress. We are all aware of the issues within the PDP, so it’s not appropriate to use it as a standard.
“It’s clear to us, and to Nigerians, that the PDP is being exploited by the APC in their attempt to dismantle opposition parties, not just the PDP but also the Labour Party, with the FCT minister as their tool. His primary role appears to be to undermine the PDP.
“It’s evident to everyone that his mandate is to destroy the PDP. There’s no need for further evidence; that is known.”
In response, APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, questioned the logic of using Wike to disrupt a party that is already facing challenges.
Ibrahim pointed out that Wike is not a member of the APC and cannot be used to harm a party he is still part of.
He remarked, “Wike does not belong to the APC, nor has he indicated any allegiance to the party. He has not rejected his membership in the PDP.
“Why assign him responsibilities that he has not accepted? Wike has not claimed to be manipulated by the APC for their agenda. Why not directly confront him with the questions directed at others?
“These concerns should be addressed to Wike directly. The PDP is avoiding its internal issues. The APC has its own challenges to deal with rather than attempting to control Wike. He is a self-sufficient individual, once a governor, and now a minister.
“Any potential alliance would require willing participants. The PDP should stop evading the reality of their own internal problems and refrain from misplacing blame.”
