Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday night hosted a high-stakes meeting of key members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), under the banner of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP,” saying the party will not die, but must return to its founding principles if it hopes to survive.
The closed-door meeting held in Abuja brought together prominent figures within the party, including members of the influential G5 group such as former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia). While it was unclear if Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the only sitting governor in the G5, was invited, his absence was notable.
Also
present were the PDP’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former
Senate Minority Leader Philip Aduda, several current and former lawmakers,
zonal leaders, and state executives, signalling an effort to consolidate party
forces beyond factional lines.
Wike Defends G5, Criticizes PDP’s Past Decisions
In his
address, Wike positioned the G5 governors as critical stabilizing forces during
Nigeria’s last electoral cycle. “This country is stabilized today because of
the activities of the G5 Governors,” he declared, suggesting that their
controversial decisions averted deeper political chaos.
“Today, this country is stabilized because of
the activities of the G5 Governors. You may like us you may hate us. The truth
of the matter is if G5 did not take the decision we took, this country would
have been in crisis. It doesn’t matter who the beneficiary was but the right
thing had to be done and we still stand by that decision.”
He
criticized the party’s leadership for failing to heed warnings from the G5
prior to the 2023 general elections. “If the party had listened to what we
said, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Wike said, reinforcing the group’s
insistence on equity, constitutional adherence, and internal democracy.
Wike also
took aim at what he described as the party’s culture of impunity. “No
opposition party acts with impunity,” he said, adding that the PDP must focus
on healing and reconciliation rather than pushing out dissenting voices. “Let
us not allow greed, let us not allow ego to kill our party.”
Leadership Disputes Resurface
Amid
ongoing tension over party leadership roles, Wike questioned the selective
focus on the National Secretary position, currently held by Senator Anyanwu. He
highlighted what he called inconsistent standards, citing cases where other PDP
officials, including the Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi
and Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, retained party posts while contesting
for elective office.
“Whatever
reason, PDP made a lot of mistakes, and we are where we are today,” Wike said,
suggesting that internal double standards and unresolved grievances had eroded
trust within the party.
What’s Next for the PDP?
The meeting
was still underway at press time, with a communique expected to follow.
However, its tone already signals an intention to reassert influence and
possibly steer the PDP’s future direction, especially ahead of upcoming
elections.
Wike’s
gathering of these “concerned stakeholders” appears aimed at repositioning the
party for internal reforms, with loyalty to the PDP’s original ideals and
constitution emerging as central themes. As the opposition struggles to define
its role in a new political era, whether this renewed alliance will lead to
real change or deepen existing divides remains to be seen.
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