₦airaland Forum

Let’s talk about the PDP. As the chair of the PDP Governors’ Forum, we’d like to understand the current crisis in the party from your perspective. While you’ve said there’s no faction within the National Working Committee (NWC), it appears the party is becoming polarised. What’s the real situation?

BM: As Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, I need to exercise caution when discussing internal matters. Party politics should not be played out in the media. However, I can assure you that the governors are united, despite dissenting views. It’s unrealistic to expect 13 governors to always agree on everything. There are personal loyalties and relationships that can impact unity, but we are together in our resolve to move forward.

We must also be mindful of the federal government, which seems determined to get its way. You can see this in the way they handle financial matters and their treatment of labour. This isn’t just a problem for the PDP; they’ve also penetrated other parties like the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Labour Party (LP) in an attempt to create a one-party state. They have resources on their side, but bad governance will ultimately give us an advantage.

Regarding the issue with Ambassador (Umar Iliya) Damagum and the NWC, we’ve resolved it. He spoke with me, and while we may disagree on constitutional matters, we are aligned on the need for unity. Constitutionally, if a vacancy arises, it must be filled from the region where it occurred. When Bamanga Tukur left, Ahmed Mu’azu from the North East became the chairman, and we fought to maintain that position when it was challenged. The law must be applied consistently.

Some worry that the crisis is multi-pronged, and question whether the PDP can resolve it quickly.

BM: I’m confident we will. I’ve spoken to both sides, and while some people are stirring trouble, it’s important to ask who’s behind it: The answer is Tinubu and Wike.

But we haven’t seen evidence of Tinubu’s involvement.

BM: Tinubu is backing Wike, who remains in the PDP while also aligning with the APC. It’s an unusual situation; but that’s the reality.

But Wike mentioned that he wrote to the party seeking endorsement, which included your support. Is that true?

BM: No, no. That’s not how things work. In line with natural justice, you can only belong to one place. You can’t be part of two opposing sides at the same time. Wike is a friend, and I’ve told him this directly, and I’m not afraid to say it publicly.

The media is also partly responsible, as you seem to endorse these unimaginable scenarios. You can’t allow someone to act as a leader in a party he openly said he won’t support, especially for the 2027 elections. Why hasn’t this been questioned?

I don’t have anything personal against Wike. I would have supported him if he showed loyalty to the party. But he’s made it clear that he won’t. So, we can’t just stand by and let him do as he pleases, particularly when we are building towards 2027. Some party members believe that the current NWC under Ambassador Damagum is leaning towards Wike, and that’s part of the issue. Once Wike said he wouldn’t support the PDP in 2027, he created a problem. We’re focused on reclaiming power in 2027, and any disloyalty is unacceptable.

People wonder why, given the power of the governors and your role as a BoT member, you haven’t taken stronger action against Wike if he’s seen as a threat to the party. Why not suspend him?

BM: You can’t suspend him without the involvement of the NWC. We are influential as governors, but the BoT is only an advisory body, not a decision-making one. That’s why we are working on resolving this issue, not because we are against Wike. If Wike had officially joined the APC, I would still support his return to the PDP because he’s a friend. After all, many others have left the PDP and returned to hold significant positions.

Are you confident that even if the PDP resolves this crisis it can take power from the APC in 2027?

BM: What’s left of the APC? Do you think they don’t have their own internal problems? They’re just lucky to have a president. They are divided across states and local governments, with little respect for party structure.

If you believe the APC is problem-free, you’re mistaken. Every major party has its issues, but the APC has deliberately caused problems in the Labour Party and the NNPP. They’re already facing their own “cancer.” We in the PDP are the last to face this kind of crisis, but we will emerge from it stronger. I believe that the PDP will remove those acting as “undertakers” for our party and move forward by the grace of God.

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