Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has issued fresh conditions for holding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention scheduled for November, warning that failure to address certain internal disputes could lead to renewed crisis within the party.
Speaking during a media chat, Wike emphasized that he remains a member of the PDP but insisted that resolutions from the South-South Zonal Congress in Calabar—particularly the recognition of Chief Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman (South-South)—must be respected. He criticized party leadership for allegedly trying to undermine the congress, noting that failure to acknowledge Orbih’s position would plunge the party into further turmoil. He also rejected the legitimacy of the South-East congress that produced Chief Ali Odefa, citing a court ruling that Odefa is no longer a party member.
Wike warned that unless these issues are resolved before the convention, the PDP risks another internal implosion. He further claimed that the PDP must correct the alleged impunity or face the consequences.
On Rivers State, Wike stated that the ongoing emergency rule would likely be lifted soon, revealing that President Bola Tinubu had instructed that local council elections be held within 30 days—far earlier than the previous 360-day timeline. He affirmed that the Rivers State administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has the constitutional mandate to conduct the elections and restore democracy at the grassroots.
Turning his attention to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Wike lambasted him for “serial defection,” accusing him of lacking party loyalty and switching affiliations solely for presidential ambitions. He criticized Atiku’s move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claiming it was driven by frustration after losing influence within PDP and likely being unable to clinch the 2027 ticket.
Wike also criticized Senator David Mark, interim chairman of the ADC, arguing that his past leadership yielded little progress and accusing him of being part of a failed attempt to dominate PDP leadership in the past.
In reaction, the Conference of Professionals in the PDP (CP-PDP) dismissed Wike’s comments, stating that he no longer holds credibility as a PDP member, having openly worked with President Tinubu and the ruling APC. The group urged members to ignore Wike’s “outbursts,” affirming that the PDP has already instituted leadership structures in both the South-South and South-East, in line with a Supreme Court ruling that affirms the party’s right to manage its internal affairs. CP-PDP concluded that Wike’s remarks should be treated as irrelevant and lacking legal or political weight.
