Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly accused the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagun, of betrayal, stating that Damagun would not hesitate to “kill” him if given the opportunity.
Wike made the explosive claims during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, where he responded to questions about his relationship with the PDP leadership and his fallout with party stakeholders.
“I did everything, I had his lawyers, and that’s what sustained Damagun to be there,” Wike said. “But who is Damagun’s enemy now? It is me. If there is one person Damagun wants to be killed, it is me.”
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a key player in PDP’s internal politics, asserted that Damagun owes his current position as party chairman to his personal support and political manoeuvring. He implied that despite his role in installing Damagun, he has since been treated as a political adversary.
His comments come amid rising tensions within the PDP. Recently, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido called on the Damagun-led National Working Committee (NWC) to expel Wike and other prominent figures, including ex-governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), for allegedly working against the party’s interests in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the same interview, Wike reflected on the 2022 PDP presidential primaries, where he came second to Atiku Abubakar in a contentious process. He cited a strategic error—allowing his supporters in Kano and Katsina to wear campaign uniforms—as a factor that contributed to his loss.
“The mistake I made was allowing my supporters in Kano and Katsina to wear our uniform,” he admitted.
Wike also alleged that the primaries were manipulated against him, referencing a secret meeting held at the residence of retired General Ali Gusau, where decisions were made to edge him out of the race.
“They told Saraki and Bala Mohammed to withdraw; they refused,” Wike revealed, further claiming that former Senate President David Mark used “military coup experience” to influence the outcome. He also accused Governor Aminu Tambuwal of betraying him after allegedly being promised the Senate presidency in exchange for stepping down in support of Atiku.
Wike’s revelations underscore the deepening divisions within the PDP, as the party struggles to unify ahead of future elections amidst defections, factionalism, and unresolved grievances from the 2023 cycle.
