Wike cautions PDP factions against disobeying court rulings, urging respect for party laws and unity as NEC forms a caretaker committee to stabilise the party’s future.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has again reaffirmed his determination to defend the foundational values of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that he and other pioneer members will not stand by and allow individuals who joined the party from other political platforms to destabilise or destroy it.
Wike, who served as a leading figure in building the PDP into a major national force since 1998, made this clear during the 104th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction.
The meeting held on Sunday at his official residence in Abuja and drew several stakeholders who expressed concerns about growing internal disputes within the party.
According to Wike, the PDP must return to the discipline, order, and adherence to law that characterised its early years, insisting that no party can survive if its leaders treat court judgments with disregard.
The minister also maintained that the PDP would never regain public trust if it continued to violate its own internal regulations or allow factions to undermine judicial decisions for political gain.
His comments were directed at the Tanimu Turaki-led faction, which he accused of openly disobeying two substantive Federal High Court judgments.
Wike explained that these judgments had already settled the issues at the centre of the party’s internal dispute, yet the faction proceeded to conduct what he described as an “illegal convention.”
“You disregard clear court rulings and still claim to be providing leadership. How is that possible?” Wike asked, visibly frustrated as he addressed the NEC gathering.
He argued that unless the PDP commits itself to lawful conduct, it cannot expect Nigerians to trust it with national leadership in the future.
The FCT minister pointed out that instead of respecting the judgments of competent federal courts, the faction approached a State High Court seeking an ex-parte order, which, he said, was then used as a basis to justify an illegitimate convention.
“You went to a State High Court to sue INEC just because you wanted a convention at all costs. You obtained an ex-parte order to overrule the judgments of the Federal High Court. How can a party survive on such deliberate lawlessness?” he asked.
Wike further expressed concern that the same faction later returned to another court, seeking validation of a convention that was held in defiance of earlier judgments.
He wondered why a group that claimed recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would still approach a court for further affirmation.
“If INEC has already recognised you, what is the purpose of going back to the Federal High Court?” Wike questioned.
The minister warned that the actions of the faction were capable of endangering the future of the PDP and diminishing the internal cohesion that has sustained the party for decades.
He emphasised that the PDP was founded on principles of fairness, respect for institutions, and collective decision-making—values that must not be abandoned at a time when the party needs unity more than ever.
According to Wike, “We must not allow our party to collapse. The responsibility of leadership includes honesty, respect for the law, and dedication to the organisation’s survival.
“If we do not respect our own structures and our own laws, what moral right do we have to ask Nigerians for respect?”
The NEC meeting also focused on the tenure of the current National Working Committee (NWC), which expires on Tuesday.
Stakeholders at the meeting urged the NEC to constitute a Caretaker Committee to ensure continuity and stability within the party during the transition period.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), responded to the concerns raised by members, explaining that the transition was fully in line with provisions of the PDP constitution.
He noted that installing a Caretaker Committee was part of broader efforts to restore peace, rebuild confidence among party members, and guarantee administrative continuity across the national, zonal, and state levels.
Ohuabunwa also revealed that similar caretaker structures were being set up in places where congresses could not be conducted earlier, such as Anambra State and parts of the South-East.
He maintained that the move was essential to closing leadership gaps and fortifying party structures ahead of upcoming electoral activities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the NEC formally approved the creation of a 13-member National Caretaker Committee to oversee party affairs for a 60-day period.
During this period, all pending congresses must be conducted, and a national convention must be organised to elect a new leadership team.
Abdulrahman Mohammed was appointed Chairman, while Senator Samuel Anyanwu will serve as Secretary.
Alongside Mohammed and Anyanwu, other appointees include Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) as National Legal Adviser and Umar Bature as National Organising Secretary.
Additional members include Dr Kyari Grema, Janguda Mohammed, Okechukwu Osuana, Senator Nwogu Olaka, Senator Sandy Onor, Professor Adenike Ogunse, Bisi Kolawole, Deji Doherty, and Dr Ibrahim Aboki.
The formation of the Caretaker Committee reflects the NEC’s desire to stabilise the party and avert deeper internal fragmentation. Party leaders expressed hope that the temporary leadership will help address pending issues, restore discipline, and foster unity across all levels.
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