The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to set aside their egos and personal interests and work towards reconciliation following Monday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal on the party’s Ibadan convention.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Wike described the ruling as a victory for the rule of law and an opportunity for party stakeholders to come together and rebuild the PDP rather than continue with legal battles.
“For me, it is an opportunity for everybody today to come back and see how we can salvage the party,” Wike said.
“Leave your ego. Leave your personal interest. Come back. Let’s sit down. Now we are here, can we see how we can forge ahead?”
The minister noted that the appellate court’s decision to dismiss several appeals with heavy financial costs highlighted the importance of complying with statutory provisions, the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.
According to him, once such laws are violated, an issue ceases to be a mere internal affair of a political party and becomes subject to judicial intervention.
Wike warned that pursuing the case further at the Supreme Court could harm the party, particularly as political party primaries are expected to begin in April and May.
“By the time you go to the Supreme Court, you are merely causing harm to your party which you say you love.
“It is time now to say we have fought, let us drop our personal interest and make sure that PDP becomes the number one opposition party,” he said.
He explained that the court’s ruling effectively invalidated the Ibadan convention and confirmed that the tenure of the party officers involved had expired.
Wike added that the party’s National Caretaker Committee remains the legally recognised body currently managing its affairs in order to avoid a leadership vacuum.
“It is very clear that there was no convention in Ibadan and the tenure of the officers then had expired and you cannot allow a vacuum. The Court of Appeal said today it is clear that convention does not stand. So, the caretaker committee is what it is now,” he stated.
The FCT minister also disclosed that preparations were underway for a fresh national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30 in Abuja.
He said the party had secured the Velodrome of the National Stadium as the venue after a scheduling conflict with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which will be holding its convention at Eagle Square around the same period.
“The national caretaker committee has gotten approval to use the Velodrome for their national convention from March 29 to 30,” Wike said.
“Remember we would have used the Eagle Square but because APC will be having their national convention on March 28 and 29, it will be difficult for PDP to keep the place ready. So they had to choose an alternative venue which is the Velodrome near the National Stadium.”
He reiterated that compliance with the law remains non-negotiable, noting that the dismissal of nine appeals with costs totaling about ₦18 million should serve as a lesson on the consequences of disregarding established legal procedures.
