Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed strong confidence in the survival of the Peoples Democratic Party, despite the internal challenges currently confronting the party.
Wike made the remarks on Monday in Abuja while hosting a strategic meeting of party stakeholders under the aegis of the “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP,” comprising members from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Prominent figures present at the meeting included former Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), alongside PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Philip Aduda. Several former federal and state lawmakers, as well as zonal and state executives of the party, were also in attendance.
Addressing the gathering, Wike maintained that the PDP should not be allowed to collapse, noting that the attendees were genuinely committed to its survival.
“All of you here are those who are committed to the survival of our party, not just talking on television or in the newspapers, but committed to the party at various levels,” he said.
He reiterated the controversial but strategic role played by the G5 Governors during the 2023 general elections, claiming their intervention helped stabilise the nation and averted a potential crisis.
“You may like us, you may hate us; the truth of the matter is if G5 did not take the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis.
“It doesn’t matter who the beneficiary was, but the right thing had to be done, and we still stand by that decision.
“We have continued to emphasise that the party’s constitution and that of the country should be respected.
“If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he said.
Wike warned against the growing culture of impunity within the PDP, cautioning that such behaviour was uncharacteristic of a responsible opposition party.
“Ours is to continue to pacify people and bring them together and desist from saying that they should go to hell.
“Let us not allow greed; let us not allow ego to kill our party,” he advised.
Also speaking, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom threw his weight behind Wike, acknowledging his influence and contributions to the party.
“He who pays the piper dictates the tune,” Ortom stated. “Tell me, who in this country has contributed more to the growth of the PDP than Wike?”
Ortom further defended President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Wike as FCT Minister, saying it reflected Tinubu’s understanding that Nigeria cannot function as a one-party state.
“For whatever reason, PDP made a lot of mistakes, and that is why we are where we are today,” Ortom added.
