The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has thrown a challenge at rival groups within the People’s Democratic Party, urging them to prove their claim to leadership by opening an official party bank account and running a formal secretariat.
Wike’s comments come in the wake of fresh disputes between rival camps, including groups aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and those in the Wike-backed faction, over control of party structures.
The controversy followed the rejection by the Wike-backed PDP of what it described as an unauthorized National Executive Committee meeting and the announcement of a caretaker committee reportedly led by Tanimu Turaki.
The faction insisted that no valid NEC meeting was convened and maintained that Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu remain the recognized party officials.
It also referenced the Supreme Court’s April 30 ruling, which nullified the Makinde-backed PDP convention in Ibadan that produced the Turaki-led leadership, deepening the dispute over legitimacy within the party.
Speaking during a live media session in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike said some party figures were misleading the public about who actually controls the PDP, despite existing court rulings on the matter.
The minister argued that the faction opposing the recognized leadership has no legal authority to manage party affairs.
According to him, if they are truly in charge, they should be confident enough to open a PDP account where members can pay nomination fees and conduct o 4fficial transactions.
“You cannot continue to deceive Nigerians. If they are sure they are the authentic leadership of the PDP, let them open an official PDP account and tell party members to pay nomination fees into it,” Wike said.
The former Rivers State governor specifically mentioned Taminu Turaki, SAN, and others in the rival camp, challenging them to publicly establish such a structure.
Also Read: Makinde faction at PDP NEC picks Turaki as chairman
“Let Turaki, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, open an account for the PDP. Let them announce it publicly for members who want to contest elections. That day, you will see what will happen,” he stated.
Wike also questioned how any bank could legitimately open an account for a political party without verified documentation and court-recognized leadership, insisting that the process would expose the weakness of their claim.
He further warned against any attempt to set up parallel PDP offices in Abuja, saying such moves would not be tolerated if they threaten public order.
The ex-governor stated that any illegal party office would be shut down under his authority as FCT Minister.
“That bank will be in trouble because to open such an account, you must provide the party’s authentic documents and recognized leadership. Who has those documents?” he queried.
“If anybody goes ahead to open an illegal office in the name of the PDP in Abuja, I will seal it. I will not allow any breach of peace because my duty is to maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
The minister dismissed claims that the Supreme Court ruling favored the rival faction, insisting that available legal decisions supported the position of the recognized party leadership. According to him, attempts to reinterpret the judgments were aimed at confusing party members and the public.
Reaffirming his position, Wike said he remains a loyal member of the PDP and insisted that his actions are aimed at defending lawful processes and respecting court decisions.
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