Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has stated that he is closely monitoring happenings in the Peoples Democratic Party’s Oyo State branch, emphasizing that his interest stems from a desire for the party’s survival and success.
Wike made the statements on Monday during the 105th meeting of the PDP’s National Executive Committee in Abuja.
He assured party officials that his focus was not limited to one state but rather on the PDP’s general stability and prosperity throughout the country.
“Let me declare my interest clearly: I am interested in the survival and success of this party. I am also interested in all the happenings in Oyo State PDP. That is all I am interested in,” he said.
During his speech, the former Rivers State governor discussed the party’s internal conflicts, ongoing legal difficulties, and the need to reposition the PDP ahead of future elections.
He denied that party members were being intimidated, claiming that recent court cases had undermined such threats.
“Who will intimidate us to the end? Some of us, by the grace of God, do not see what anyone can threaten us with. The legal battle has collapsed. They have no option but to recognize the Caretaker Committee,” Wike stated.
He also warned that “vampires” were attempting to hijack the party’s structure across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and that such efforts must be stopped.
According to him, the party is currently awaiting clear guidance from the Caretaker Committee, notably on the conduct of delayed congresses, which he believes are critical to organizing a credible national convention.
“They have no choice. We are waiting for the Caretaker Committee to give direction on the next steps, especially to ensure that congresses already due are conducted, after which we move to the National Convention,” he said.
Wike asked PDP members to quit what he called an entitlement attitude and return to grassroots mobilisation, cautioning against treating the party as a charity.
“Go to the wards. Go to the polling units. Go to the grassroots. Forget the idea that this is a charity organization. Many people move from place to place without any political identity,” he cautioned.
He disputed the notion that a political party’s strength is primarily dependent on having incumbent governors, citing his own rise within the party.
“Some people believe that if you do not have a sitting governor, then you are nothing. Who told them that? I was not a governor when I became governor. We were told we were not governors, but we became governors,” he said.
Despite the issues confronting the PDP, Wike insisted that the party is still a powerful political force capable of revival.
“The PDP is too strong, very strong. We must capitalize on what we have and move forward,” he added.
While acknowledging the Board of Trustees’ and the National Working Committee’s calls for peace, he advised party members to stay vigilant, warning that efforts to destabilize the PDP were ongoing.
“Yes, the BoT has appealed for peace. Yes, the NWC has appealed for peace; that is their responsibility. But those of us following the process must be extremely careful. We must be vigilant,” he said.
He expressed confidence that such attempts would fail, urging members to stay united.
“They will not give up until they believe you are destroyed. But I will not be destroyed. You will not be destroyed. Let us move forward,” Wike said.
The former governor of Rivers State also highlighted the party’s internal capacity, pointing to its legal and organizational officers as assets in navigating the current situation.
“We have a competent legal advisor. We have a competent National Organizing Secretary. Experience matters. When we combine our collective experience, the results will speak for themselves,” he said.
Wike rounded up by thanking NEC members for attending the meeting on short notice and encouraging them to be committed to developing the PDP as a formidable opposition party.
Its party bloc has scheduled its national convention in Abuja for March 28 and 29, 2026, during which the party will nominate a new National Working Committee and other statutory organs.
The announcement came following the faction’s 105th meeting of the PDP National Executive Committee, which took place on Monday in Abuja.
The verdict follows a Federal High Court order in Ibadan that annulled the PDP’s National Convention, which took place between November 15 and 16, 2025 and elected Taminu Turaki as PDP National Chairman.
The court also confirmed that the Caretaker Committee, chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu, is the only recognized NWC pending a proper national convention.
