The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cautioning that the party risks total collapse if it continues to sideline him in key decision-making processes.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and one of the PDP’s most influential figures, made the remarks during a media parley in Abuja on Friday. He lamented that despite his longstanding role in building and sustaining the party, he has been excluded from major consultations and strategic meetings.
“Have I not said it before now that the booby trap you are setting will consume you? The way these present governors are doing, they will bury this party,” Wike declared.
The minister questioned the rationale behind his exclusion from PDP activities, arguing that his current position as FCT Minister should not diminish his standing within the party.
“I am the FCT Minister. Are you telling me that because I am not a governor, you will hold a PDP stakeholders’ meeting and exclude me, and then expect the party to survive?” he queried.
He added, “Assuming I am not a minister, by the role I have played in the PDP till now, is it right to say I cannot be consulted in taking decisions of the party? Certainly not.”
Wike also dismissed attempts to blame the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP’s internal woes, insisting that the opposition party’s problems were self-inflicted.
“All these talks about APC are rubbish. Is it APC that makes you take wrong decisions? You mean two or three people, because they are governors and receive large allocations, will go and decide, and you tell me to follow? Follow who?” he asked.
Speaking on the party’s forthcoming national convention, Wike accused the PDP leadership of failing to complete the necessary congresses and internal processes required for the convention to hold.
“If they do the right thing, will anybody stall the convention? They have not done the congresses and other things that should be in place,” he said.
The PDP has recently been embroiled in internal crises, marked by defections and power tussles involving top members, including Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno. The party is also battling multiple legal suits related to its planned convention.
Wike’s latest outburst underscores the widening rift within the PDP, as party leaders struggle to maintain unity ahead of the convention.
By Idris Ahmed, Newsday, Abuja