The political faceoff between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde assumed a fresh twist on Monday night as the former Rivers State governor declared interest in all activities of the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Speaking at the 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Wike vowed to protect the national party from internal “vampires.”
Both Wike and Makinde were members of the Group of 5 governors in the lead-up to the last general election. They fell apart shortly after the election.
Wike, a pivotal and often polarising figure within the PDP, was blunt about his focus. While reinforcing his commitment to the party’s nationwide success, he pointedly mentioned his surveillance of the Oyo State chapter.
“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.
The minister insisted that his concern remains the “survival, stability and success” of the party, dismissing any attempts at intimidation by rival factions following recent favourable court rulings.
Addressing the fallout of the party’s internal leadership tussle, Wike declared that the opposition to the current Caretaker Committee has lost its legal footing.
He took a swipe at those he described as “vampires” who seek to control the party across the 36 states and the 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.
He further noted that the path is now clear for the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led committee to move the party toward its elective 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 took the opportunity to lecture party faithful on the realities of political power, warning against a “charity” mindset and the over-reliance on sitting governors for political relevance.
“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.
“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.
While the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the NWC have called for a “cessation of hostilities,” Wike warned that peace should not be mistaken for a lack of vigilance.
He suggested that adversaries would continue to try to dismantle the PDP from within.
“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.
Despite the challenges, Wike maintained that the party remains a “very strong” force, urging the leadership to leverage its collective experience to navigate the current political climate.
“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 stated.
Vanguard
