In a dramatic escalation of internal strife within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced his withdrawal from all previous agreements aimed at resolving the party’s ongoing crisis.
In a strongly worded statement released today, Wike accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other key party leaders of breaching trust and orchestrating actions that have undermined party unity.
“The PDP has been wantonly swinging from one part of a slippery precipice to another,” Wike declared, citing “dishonesty and lack of trust amongst its key stakeholders” as the root causes of the party’s instability since the 2023 general election.
According to Wike, a critical meeting of the G5 governors in Lagos was held in an attempt to address these issues. “I made it clear to Governor Seyi Makinde that he was the architect of our problems,” Wike said, emphasizing that Makinde’s failure to honor agreements was damaging the party’s cohesion.
A follow-up expanded meeting in Abuja, held at former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s guest house, reportedly included Governor Bala Mohammed, Governor Umaru Fintiri, and other PDP leaders. Wike noted that the atmosphere at the meeting was tense.
“Tensions rose mightily… it took all concerned to calm frayed nerves,” he said. However, he confirmed that several resolutions were reached, including the recognition of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary of the PDP in line with a Supreme Court judgment.
Despite these resolutions, Wike claims the agreements were soon violated. He accused Makinde of colluding with Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to manipulate internal party processes.
“To my chagrin, Seyi Makinde had connived with Peter Mba to orchestrate the summoning of the so-called South-East leaders to push for Ude Okoye as Secretary,” Wike alleged, describing it as a breach of the earlier pact.
He further stated that efforts were made to undermine the authority of Senator Anyanwu, with unauthorized individuals attempting to assign secretariat functions to the Deputy National Secretary.
Wike also highlighted a failed PDP congress in Jos on May 24, which was reportedly invalidated due to improper procedural documentation not signed by the recognized National Secretary.
“These actions are in complete violation of the agreements reached and would not do the party any good whatsoever,” Wike asserted, describing them as “undeniably distasteful, provocative and annoying.”
Reflecting on his long-standing loyalty to the PDP since 1998, Wike expressed disappointment over what he sees as betrayal by those he once supported. “It is on record that none of these persons have done anything close to what I have done to sustain this party,” he said. “I contributed substantially to most of these governors winning their elections, yet I have not made any personal demands on any of them.”
With his patience clearly exhausted, Wike made a firm declaration: “I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached. I have decided to fight on until justice is attained.”
The statement from the FCT Minister has ignited a blow to recent reconciliation efforts within the PDP and raises serious questions about the future unity and direction of the party as it prepares for future elections.