In what appears to be a bold move to revive the soul of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, hosted a gathering of influential party members in Abuja on Monday evening.
The meeting, held behind closed doors, brought together what Wike described as “true believers in the survival of the party.”
The gathering, held under the banner of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP,” was a show of force by those still loyal to the party’s ideals, particularly members of the G5 — the group of former PDP governors who famously broke ranks with the party leadership before the 2023 elections.
Present at the meeting were former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia). It was unclear if Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, also a member of the G5, received an invitation.
Also in attendance were the PDP’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; former Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda; serving and former lawmakers; and several zonal and state party officials.
Wike, who has remained a dominant voice in PDP politics despite taking a ministerial role in the ruling APC-led government, used the opportunity to make his position clear.
“All of you here are those who are committed to the survival of our party, not just on TV talking or in the newspapers talking, but committed to the party at the various levels,” he told the room.
Wike went on to defend the role of the G5 in stabilising the country politically ahead of the 2023 elections.
“Today, this country is stabilised because of the activities of the G5 Governors. You may like us, you may hate us. The truth of the matter is that if G5 had not taken 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 declared.
He expressed regret that the party leadership failed to heed the group’s warnings ahead of the last general elections.
“If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t have been where we are today… As an opposition party, we cannot continue to act with impunity. No opposition party acts with impunity. Ours is to continue to placate people and bring them together, not to say that they should go to hell,” he added. “Let us not allow greed, let us not allow ego to kill our party.”
Wike also questioned why there was so much focus on the office of the National Secretary, citing examples of other party leaders who held onto their positions while running for elective office.
On his part, former Benue governor, Dr Samuel Ortom, praised Wike’s contributions to the party’s survival and took a subtle jab at those who, he believes, now want to sideline him.
“He who pays the piper dictates the tune,” Ortom said, throwing his weight behind the FCT Minister. “Tell me, who in Nigeria has contributed more to the growth of PDP than Wike?”
He also said President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Wike as FCT Minister was strategic. “The President understands that the country cannot be a one-party state, which is why he appointed Wike into a very sensitive position as the FCT minister.”
At the time of filing this report, the communique from the meeting had not yet been released.
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