₦airaland Forum

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has outlined fresh conditions for reconciliation within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that the party must reverse recent decisions he considers unjust, including the removal of Chief Dan Orbih as the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-South).

Speaking in his monthly television interview, Wike maintained that until these grievances are addressed, the PDP should not proceed with plans for its national convention scheduled for November.

“It is over for now, but there are still some things remaining,” he said. “The South-South zonal congress that was held in Calabar must be upheld. Dan Orbih remains the National Vice Chairman for South-South. If they don’t agree, that’s an error on their part. If they want another round of crisis, so be it.”

Wike warned that any attempt to ignore the outcome of the Calabar congress would amount to impunity. “They say they’re going to the convention. I’m sorry. Let the matter be resolved first,” he insisted.

Wike insisted that the congress, which took place in Calabar, was conducted legitimately and must not be tampered with.

“Our South-South zonal congress that was held must be upheld. There’s no doubt, no two words about it,” the minister said.

“When we were doing our South-South congress, the Acting National Chairman claimed that the PDP governors were not in support of the National Congress. Where are the PDP governors now?” he asked rhetorically.

On his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, Wike did not shy away from reaffirming his admiration for the President.

“Why wouldn’t I support a southern candidate—or even President Tinubu, if he’s running again?” he queried. Citing Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy on his first day in office, Wike described him as a leader with courage and conviction. “That is bold leadership,” he said.

While reiterating that he remains a PDP member, Wike emphasised that he cannot support any presidential candidate, regardless of party, who lacks competence. “At my level now, I cannot support someone I know is not competent; whether he’s my friend or not,” he said.

On the effort by political coalition forces to stop Tinubu’s re-election, Wike aimed at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, criticising what he described as a pattern of opportunistic defections. “People move from one party to another for selfish reasons,” he said. “Someone who’s been seeking the presidency for years keeps moving from PDP to APC and back again. Then suddenly says he wants to ‘rescue Nigeria.’ Rescue what? From what?” Nigerian Airways merchandise

He also defended his stance in the 2023 elections, saying he acted based on principle. “I take serious exception to people calling me double-faced. I made it clear I wouldn’t support Atiku. I didn’t attend the primaries and then turn around to support him. I stood for equity, fairness, and justice,” he stated.

Wike explained that his support for Tinubu in 2023 was informed by a belief that the APC candidate could lead Nigeria effectively. “I believed President Tinubu had a better chance and better capacity. And I was right,” he said.

On internal PDP crisis and court orders, Wike accused some PDP leaders of fueling the party’s crisis by disregarding internal rules and court orders. He cited the case of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, whose position as National Secretary was contested despite a court ruling and a congressional decision in his favour. Nigerian Airways merchandise

He insisted that impunity remains the core problem within the party. “The so-called buccaneers and vampires have left because the party refused to do the right thing,” he said, adding that he would remain in the PDP and “fight from within.”

Responding to speculation about his political alliances, Wike confirmed meeting with some governors but denied stoking a crisis within the Labour Party. “I’ve met governors from Edo, Ebonyi, and Kogi. These are my colleagues. That’s what politicians do. And no, I’m not stoking any crisis in the Labour Party. If they have problems, that’s their own doing.”

On the controversial local government elections and declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, Wike defended the legality of the decisions. He cited constitutional provisions and Supreme Court rulings that validate the appointment of sole administrators pending elections. “If you don’t conduct elections, local governments can’t access federal allocations. That’s why elections must be held—even under emergency rule,” he stated.

Asked about reports of a PDP-APC power-sharing arrangement in Rivers State, Wike claimed ignorance but argued that such cooperation is not inherently wrong. “If leaders from both parties sit down to say, ‘let’s not fight,’ what’s wrong with that? Shouldn’t we be happy that politicians are working together for peace?”

LagosOrigin:
This man looks unhealthy despite all the money

Look at his face, he has money but don't have happiness .

Maxymilliano:
https://guardian.ng/politics/wike-gives-fresh-conditions-for-peace-in-pdp/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL9zsVjbGNrAv3OqGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEelI38O3pFwqajBUmylMlwI1TRagAM4RsAlDDX50Vz7cmd8URr4cbTf1X01m4_aem_DaiF8ZQlNrCK5sEf4kWUjQ#google_vignette