By Ismaila Jimoh Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike has told the National Executive Committee of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, that he is having special interest in all the activities of the Oyo State Chapter of the party.
Wike made this known during the 105th National Executive Committee, NEC, Meeting of the PDP in Abuja on Monday.
The Minister also told the NEC members of his desire to ensure the survival, stability and success of the party nation-wide.
Wike expressed concern on the party’s internal challenges, such as ongoing legal disputes and the path to take towards rebuilding the party ahead of future elections.
“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,” Wike said.
Addressing concerns about intimidation and internal threats, Wike dismissed claims that any individual or group could cow party members into submission, stressing that the party’s legal battles had effectively collapsed.
He stressed that, they will not Vampires to take over the affairs of the Party across the 36 States of the Federation including FCT.
“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 recognise the Caretaker Committee,” he stated.
Wike said the party was now waiting for the Caretaker Committee to issue clear directives, particularly on the conduct of overdue congresses, which he described as critical steps towards organising 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.
The FCT Minister warned party members against viewing the PDP as a charity organisation, urging them to return to the grassroots and rebuild the party from the ward and polling unit levels.
“Go to the wards. Go to the polling units. Go to the grassroots. Forget the idea that this is a charity organisation. Many people move from place to place without any political identity,” he cautioned.
He also rejected the notion that a political party’s relevance depends solely on having sitting governors, recalling his own political journey.
“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,” Wike said.
According to him, the PDP remains a formidable political force despite its current challenges.
“The PDP is too strong very strong. We must capitalise on what we have and move forward,” he added.
While acknowledging calls for peace by the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Working Committee (NWC), Wike urged party leaders and members to remain vigilant, warning that attempts to destabilise the party 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 cautioned that adversaries would not relent until they believed the party was finished, but expressed confidence that such efforts would fail.
“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,” he said.
Wike further urged the party to rely on experience and internal capacity, noting that the PDP has competent legal and organising officers capable of navigating the current phase.
“We have a competent Legal Adviser. We have a competent National Organising Secretary. Experience matters. When we combine our collective experience, the results will speak for themselves,” he said.
He thanked NEC members for attending the meeting at short notice and urged them to remain committed to strengthening the party as Nigeria’s leading opposition platform.
