The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, yesterday asserted that the Peoples Democratic Party has been restored to its loyal members, criticizing defectors while reaffirming control of the party.
Speaking at the PDP’s 10th Elective National Convention in Abuja, Wike also took aim at opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The event, monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, served as evidence, in Wike’s view, that the party had regained institutional stability after prolonged internal disputes.
“Today (Sunday) marks the rebirth of our party in a new form. Today (yesterday) is the birth of a united party, ready to move forward. We have seen the convention monitored by the electoral umpire which also tells you the importance of this gathering,” Wike said.
He described leadership as a test of courage and commitment, taking a swipe at governors who had left the party.
“Leadership is not easy. It requires courage, firmness and commitment. What we have seen, some governors leaving, only shows a lack of leadership. When crises arise, true leaders stand and resolve them; they do not run away. More importantly, we have reclaimed and returned the party to its rightful owners, the people.”
Wike appealed to aggrieved members to return, emphasizing unity and discipline. “Our brothers and sisters who may have left should return and join us in rebuilding this party for the collective good. No one will be excluded; everyone will have an opportunity to serve in unity and in law.”
He likened some defectors to the former Labour Party presidential candidate, drawing a parallel with governors who abandoned the PDP during crises.
“What you have seen happening, the actions of a faction of some governors who have walked away, only shows that they lack a sense of leadership. I liken them to the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party. That candidate was given a platform by the Labour Party to pursue the presidency, yet when a crisis arose within the party, it was precisely the moment leadership was required. Instead of stepping forward to resolve the problems, he could not, and failed to provide that leadership. In the same way, when our governors were seeking a platform to become governors, they found one and achieved their ambition. But when crises emerged, and it was time to demonstrate leadership, vision, and courage, they ran away. That tells you who can truly stand firm in difficult times. It is like a family: when you have a wife, or wives, and there are problems in your household, you do not abandon your family. You remain there and work to resolve the issues. That is why I thank all of you for your commitment. You have shown leadership, real leadership,” he asserted.
Earlier, the party’s Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, urged members to subordinate personal ambitions to the collective good of the party.
“No ambition is greater than this party. No office is worth the weakening of this platform. The recent judicial developments must not be seen as victory for some and defeat for others. Rather, they must remind us that institutions must be guided by law and that no party can endure outside constitutional order. We choose inclusiveness over exclusion. We choose unity over division. We choose renewal over decline,” he said.
Former Abia State Governor, Mr Okezie Ikpeazu, cautioned that the PDP must reconcile internal divisions or risk collapse as it moves to elect a new leadership.
“The duty of genuine reconciliation within our party is not optional; it is fundamental. Your work begins immediately,” he said.
Similarly, former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, appealed to aggrieved members to return, highlighting the party’s historic role in national unity. “I want to speak to you from the standpoint of the history of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Nigeria. I have listened to all the speakers, and I heard the chairman say we should reflect. Indeed, we should reflect. Where was the PDP in 1998? What lay before the PDP in 1998? What were the vision, the dream, and the wisdom of the founders of the PDP, our fathers?” Lamido recalled the party’s formation in the aftermath of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. “In 1998, the main challenge before the PDP was national unity, especially in the aftermath of the events of June 12. In their wisdom, the leaders came together,” he said, urging defectors to return and describing the PDP as a political home with deep roots across Nigeria.
