• Party strengthens BoT with 39 new members, bemoans 85 inactive associates
• Wike chides moves, flays Fubara’s lack of temperament for peace
• Follow through on your resolutions, Dickson urges PDP govs
The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, showed signs of intentions to rebuild the party’s broken walls and form a cohesive force to compete actively in the 2027 general elections.
As a quick follow-up to the setting up of the Wayforward Committee of Seven last Sunday, the party enlarged its Board of Trustees with 39 new members to ensure a proactive trouble-shooting mechanism and dispute resolution.
However, as party leaders brainstormed on renewal plans, a central figure to the push and pull in the party and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, told journalists in Abuja, yesterday, that the party was yet to learn from the miscalculations that made it lose out in the last general elections.
Alluding to the zoning controversies that trailed the party’s lead-up to the election, the FCT Minister cited the ongoing squabble over the party’s national secretaryship as one of such glaring mistakes.
He contended that any wise objective political observer should know that allowing Senator Sam Anyanwu to remain as secretary until the party holds a valid national convention is the best joker.
The former Rivers State governor said that PDP must be careful not to run into similar traps it entered before the 2023 election, when it produced the national chairman and presidential candidate from the same region.
Insisting that such a recourse to dangerous calculations could be dangerous to the party, Wike warned PDP leaders about the consequences of what he called “exclusionary politics and internal manipulation.”
He stated: “If PDP doesn’t take care, watch out for what will happen because selfish interest can kill an organisation. You haven’t won an election, but you are excluding people.
“You want to play the same game you played in 2023, it will backfire. I have told people that this smartness will not help you. Wike is telling you now to stop this smartness.”
The FCT Minister rebuffed prodding to disclose some salient decisions reached at the PDP Governors and stakeholders meeting on Sunday night, remarking merely that he wishes PDP well.
While accusing the PDP leaders of tolerating impunity and failing to function like a serious-minded opposition ready to challenge the ruling APC, Wike declared: “No opposition party allows impunity, it’s only the ruling party.
“Opposition is going to organise itself to take over the affairs of the government.
How many times have they made efforts? How many people have you wooed? Rather, they are after Wike; they abandoned what they are supposed to do – the only crime is that Wike is a minister under the APC government.”
Meanwhile, the FCT Minister used the occasion of the press conference to provide some insight into the peace parley he had with the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saying the latter had come to visit him, alongside two governors of the ruling APC. He regretted that Fubara did not show the ability to make peace, adding, “I told him I don’t think you really have the capacity to make this peace.”
“Fubara cannot be suing for peace while his lieutenants are busy all over television stations abusing others,” Wike stated, noting that the suspended governor, apart from meeting him, must take steps to meet other stakeholders like the State Assembly, the party and other stakeholders for peace to reign.
But, as part of its self-revival strategy, the PDP on Monday added 39 fresh members to its Board of Trustees (BoT), because over 50 per cent of the members had become inactive, as 85 out of 127 PDP BoT members hardly attend meetings.
Chairman of the board, Adolphus Wabara, stressed the importance of the inauguration of the new member as he stated that it is “particularly significant as we prepare to navigate the evolving political landscape and work tirelessly to restore the PDP as the foremost party in Nigeria. The task ahead is demanding, but with unity, determination and unwavering commitment to the principles of democracy, we shall overcome.”
The inauguration of more members aimed at reenergising the board amid rising internal challenges. Section 31(5) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) mandates the BoT to work as the conscience of the party, responsible for maintaining high standards of morality and image, advising on policy direction, mediating disputes, and safeguarding party assets.
Recall that last Sunday, PDP’s Governors Forum set up a special committee led by former President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to do a final reconciliation work to facilitate a hitch-free meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) on May 27, 2025
The FCT Minister, who spoke during his monthly media briefing, observed that holding a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) without a valid secretary could jeopardise its political existence because the Supreme Court had already set aside the appeal court judgement that sacked Anyanwu.
“I will challenge the outcome of any meeting of the NEC held without Anyanwu serving as secretary,” he said.
Listing his own achievements, Wike said he was “the only former governor who did not support the presidential candidate but made sure PDP won 100 per cent in the governorship, State Assembly and National Assembly.
“Let any sitting governor or former governor come out to say that happened in their states.” At the end of the Sunday stakeholders meeting, Governor Bala Mohammed had remarked: “The meeting is an opportunity to close ranks, and to make sure that at least there are no ill feelings, there are no qualms, there are no misgivings between the leaders of the party.
“Governors of the party have reached out to our colleagues who have been there before, who have more in-depth experience, and whatever suggestions or opinions they may have, will go a long way in giving an added impetus to the actualisation of our NEC, and our convention that is scheduled to take place on specific days, and of course to reassure our teaming supporters that the PDP is working, the PDP is united.”
The Bauchi State governor also admitted that there are some gaps, stressing: “We set up a committee of seven, headed by His Excellency, the former Senate President, and of course former Governor of Kwara State, to make sure that at least quick reconciliation and reach out will be made, in such a manner that we will have a very rancour free and harmonious NEC and convention.”
On the issue of mass defections hitting the party, he said, “Well, this is some of the manifestations in a democratic set-up like this that we have, and this is what is forcing us to come together.
“Rather than diminishing and weakening, it is making us stronger, and we will make sure at least those chapters where we have history, where we have structure, are not left alone. They will be able to produce the next governors of the PDP by the grace of God, because we will be providing the level playing field in the next convention that is coming up.”
A member of the Wayforward Committee, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, expressed optimism that the PDP would overcome its present challenges, maintaining that the party had come back from the dead at different times.
“We did that under President Buhari, with all the intimidation and harassment, and even in a crippling recession, we did not bulge but kept the party alive, won elections and handed it over to them,” he declared.
While encouraging the state governors to take the bull by the horns and carry out their resolutions, which may not be savoury to all, the Bayelsa West Senator said, “I assured them that they have our support and that all hands must be on deck to rebuild and reorganise the party.”
His words: “It was a pleasure to have attended the consultative meeting of the PDP consisting of governors, former governors and the members of the National Working Committee of the party at the instance of the PDP Governors Forum.
“I had the opportunity to interact, share ideas and give my views both as a former Governor, former Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and former Chairman PDP National Reconciliatory Committee, appointed by five Chairmen; so, there is no player in the party across the country that I have not interacted with.
“I hope the governors, who are the operational leaders of the party, follow through with the resolutions. They need to work closely together, show greater commitment to the party, galvanise and mobilise party members and Nigerians generally.
“To this effect, a committee was appointed, and it will be a pleasure to work with others in the committee to see how we can advise on ways of resolving all the issues and support the governors and other leaders and save the party from imminent collapse.”
Wike’s allies complicating PDP’s disciplinary efforts, says BoT member
A member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Olu Alabi, has revealed that the party has been unable to sanction the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for alleged anti-party activities due to circumstances beyond its control.
Speaking on a radio programme monitored in Osogbo yesterday, Alabi stated that Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, enjoys substantial backing from influential figures, making it difficult for the party to act decisively. He described Wike as a “bull in a China shop,” whose actions require cautious handling to prevent further damage to the party.
Alabi highlighted the controversy surrounding the party’s National Secretary as another significant obstacle. Wike’s ally, Samuel Anyanwu, who currently occupies the position, has reportedly refused to vacate it, further complicating efforts to hold the minister accountable.
“The problem we have is that it is the National Secretary who should write the letter (of disciplinary action),” Alabi explained. “The current National Secretary is Wike’s ally, and this has been the challenge. He is the one sending circulars, including the one that invited Wike to the recent strategic meeting in Abuja.”
The meeting, convened by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, and held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, saw Wike in attendance, despite his alleged activities. Alabi noted that Wike’s presence underscored the support he enjoys within the party’s leadership and among some BoT members.
Alabi argued that the controversy surrounding the National Secretary’s position requires urgent intervention by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He called on the commission to announce the authentic holder of the position to resolve the impasse.
“We have appealed to INEC to upload the right PDP National Secretary on their website. Even the courts are not helping matters on this issue. People are interpreting court judgments differently, and this has not helped us,” he said.
Addressing calls for decisive action against Wike, Alabi cautioned that his removal must be handled delicately to avoid further turmoil. “Wike has become like something you can’t expunge and can’t keep. His matter is like a bull in a China shop; if care is not taken, a lot of objects will be destroyed,” he said.
Reacting to calls for Atiku’s resignation, Alabi defended the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, noting that Atiku is not the party’s primary problem. “Our challenge is multifaceted. Atiku wants to be Nigeria’s president, and no one can ask him not to be ambitious. The party primary will decide,” he said.
PDP is dead, Ganduje declares as he reaffirms loyalty to APC
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has refuted allegations that he is planning to defect to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
Ganduje reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the ruling party and dismissed the claims as baseless and illogical. The APC Chairman was responding to remarks by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, who recently asserted that the APC would soon collapse, leading to the return of defectors like Ganduje to the PDP.
In a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje described Lamido’s comments as unfounded. He countered the claim by suggesting that, instead, Lamido would join the APC.
“Rather than me going to the PDP, the APC will soon receive Sule Lamido into its fold,” Ganduje was quoted as saying. The APC Chairman criticised the PDP as a “failing opposition” and expressed confidence in the ruling party’s growing dominance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He predicted that the opposition party would cease to exist by the end of 2025, citing internal crises within the PDP as a key factor in its potential downfall.
“It is evident to any discerning observer that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC continues to gain momentum, with prominent political figures across the country defecting to the party in large numbers,” the statement read. Ganduje further stressed the APC’s focus on consolidating its achievements and preparing for a decisive victory in the 2027 general elections.
“With such overwhelming national support, the APC remains focused on consolidating its achievements and preparing for a resounding victory in the 2027 general elections,” he added.
The APC Chairman went on to declare the PDP’s impending demise, stating, “In fact, we will soon receive Sule Lamido because very soon he won’t have where to go. The PDP is dead.”
