Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not allow individuals who defected from other political parties to destroy the organisation.
Speaking on Sunday during the 104th meeting of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) held at his Abuja residence, Wike accused a faction of the party of flouting court orders by conducting what he described as an “illegal convention.”
He said the group disregarded two substantive Federal High Court judgments, but still went ahead to obtain an ex-parte order from a State High Court directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the 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 judgments of the Federal High Court. How do you disobey two final judgments and still claim leadership?” Wike queried.
He criticised the faction for returning to another court after conducting the disputed convention, insisting that such actions undermine the rule of law and threaten the party’s credibility.
“You had the convention without obeying the court, and now you are back asking a Federal High Court to recognize you. If INEC already recognizes you, what exactly are you going to court for?” he said.
Wike stressed that the PDP must uphold its constitution and internal processes if it hopes to regain the trust of Nigerians, warning that personal ambitions must not be allowed to derail the party.
“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?” the minister said.
Meanwhile, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) has urged the NEC to set up a Caretaker Committee as the tenure of the current National Working Committee (NWC) expires on Monday.
BoT Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, told the NEC that the proposed transition plan is consistent with the party constitution, adding that it is designed to ensure continuity, unity, and stability across all party organs.
He explained that the caretaker arrangement is part of broader ongoing reforms aimed at restoring confidence, enforcing internal cohesion, and strengthening adherence to the rule of law within the party.
Ohuabunwa also noted that caretaker committees had recently been established in states and zones such as Anambra and the South-East, where congresses could not be held earlier, saying the move would prevent leadership vacuums and enhance party organisation.
