The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,FCT, Nyesom Wike, has vowed that he and other founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, will resist attempts by newcomers to destabilise the party.
Wike made the declaration on Sunday at the 104th National Executive Committee,NEC, meeting of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction, held at his official residence in Abuja.
The minister criticised the Tanimu Turaki faction for defying subsisting court judgments by organising what he described as an “illegal convention,” stressing that the party must uphold judicial processes to regain public trust.
He faulted the group for ignoring two final rulings of the Federal High Court before seeking an ex-parte order from a State High Court to compel the conduct of a convention.
“You went to a State High Court to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, asking that the convention must take place. 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 said.
He added that after holding the disputed convention, the same group again approached the Federal High Court for validation.
“You had the convention without obeying the court, and now you are back asking a Federal High Court to recognise you. If INEC already recognised you, what exactly are you going to court for?” he asked.
Wike maintained that actions driven by personal ambition could endanger the party’s future, stressing that the PDP, founded in 1998, must not be allowed to collapse.
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“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?” he said.
At the meeting, members urged the NEC to establish a Caretaker Committee, noting that the tenure of the current National Working Committee expires on Tuesday.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, said the transition plan aligns with the party’s constitution and aims to ensure continuity, unity, and stability.
He added that ongoing setups of caretaker structures in states such as Anambra and across the South-East were necessary to prevent leadership vacuums and strengthen internal organisation.
By the end of the meeting, the NEC approved the formation of a 13-member National Caretaker Committee headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Secretary.
Other appointed members include Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) as National Legal Adviser and Umar Bature as National Organising Secretary, alongside Dr Kyari Grema, Janguda Mohammed, Okechukwu Osuana, Senator Nwogu Olaka, Senator Sandy Onor, Prof. Adenike Ogunse, Bisi Kolawole, Deji Doherty, and Dr Ibrahim Aboki.
The committee, mandated to manage the party’s affairs for 60 days, is expected to conclude all pending congresses and organise a national convention within the period.
NAN
