Strong disagreements have erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, threatens to stop the party’s national elective convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor, has openly opposed the exercise, citing unresolved internal disputes, particularly over the South-South and South-East leadership structures of the party.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Wike declared that the convention could end in chaos if certain “anomalies” were not corrected.
He warned: “They said they are going for their convention in November. I am not part of it until they have corrected it. Let us wait, there is still time for them to resolve it. If the matter is not resolved, there will be a crisis.”
The minister insisted that Chief Dan Orbih, who emerged from a zonal congress in Calabar, remained the legitimate National Vice Chairman for the South-South. He also demanded the removal of Ali Odefa as South-East chairman, citing a subsisting court order.
“The so-called acting national chairman of the party wrote a letter to INEC after congress was held that it was postponed. There is no two ways about it—the National Vice Chairman of PDP South-South is Chief Dan Orbih. If they don’t agree, that’s another round of crisis,” Wike said.
On his exclusion from the NEC’s preparations, he added: “I am not aware that any convention would be held in Ibadan. As a NEC member, nobody has informed me. If notice of a meeting is not given, we have the right to challenge it, and nobody can deny me that right.”
PDP hits back
The PDP leadership, however, dismissed Wike’s claims and insisted the Ibadan convention would go ahead as planned.
National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba stressed that due process had been followed and warned that the party would not tolerate acts of sabotage.
“Our NEC and other meetings have been convened properly. INEC has been duly informed. The NEC, which is the second-highest decision-making body, fixed Ibadan as the venue for November 15 and 16. All arrangements are in motion, and the train is already moving,” Ologunagba stated.
He further cautioned: “There will be zero tolerance for disloyalty in our party. PDP is a party of process and rule of law. If there are actions inconsistent with the constitution, the necessary steps will be taken.”
Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor also warned Wike against overstepping, reminding him that the Supreme Court had ruled internal party matters non-justiciable.
“The FCT Minister is overreaching himself by putting himself above the collective interests of the party. No single individual can derail the progress PDP has made post-defections. Our program is set, and nothing will stop it,” Osadolor said.
Former Southwest Vice Chairman Eddy Olafeso echoed the warning, vowing resistance to Wike’s moves.
“In the final analysis, it’s obvious that Wike plans to destroy our party, and nobody will allow that. We’ve followed due process all through, and he cannot stop us. If they want to go to court, we’ll meet them there,” he declared.
Elder statesman and former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, was even more dismissive, describing Wike’s threats as mere “noise.”
