The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike has issued a stern warning that he and other founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not permit recent defectors from other parties to “kill” Nigeria’s main opposition party.
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Speaking on Sunday at the 104th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting hosted at his official residence in Abuja, Wike accused a rival faction of flagrantly disobeying two final judgements of the Federal High Court by proceeding with what he termed an “illegal convention”.
“You went to a State High Court to sue INEC, asking that the convention must take place, and you got an ex-parte order to override judgements of the Federal High Court,” Wike said.
“How do you disobey two final judgements and still claim leadership?”
The former Rivers State governor further questioned the faction’s subsequent return to court seeking validation after holding the disputed convention, asking: “If INEC already recognises you, what exactly are you going to court for?”
Insisting that respect for judicial processes was essential for the PDP to regain public trust, Wike urged members to rally behind lawful leadership and prevent selfish interests from destroying a party founded in 1998.
“We must not allow our party to die. Leadership requires commitment and honesty, not propaganda. If we don’t respect our own laws, how do we earn respect from Nigerians?” he declared.
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Meanwhile, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, called on the NEC to constitute a Caretaker Committee to steer the party as the tenure of the current National Working Committee expires on Monday.
Ohuabunwa described the proposed caretaker arrangement as fully compliant with the party’s constitution and necessary to ensure administrative continuity, unity, and stability.
He revealed that similar caretaker structures are being established in states and zones including Anambra and the South-East, where ward and state congresses could not be conducted earlier.
