FCT Minister Nyesom Wike hails the court ruling that stopped the PDP National Convention, calling it a wise and lawful step to restore party discipline.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has commended the Federal High Court’s decision to suspend the PDP National Convention, describing it as a necessary and courageous move to enforce internal democracy and respect for the rule of law within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike made the remarks during a meeting with Concerned PDP Stakeholders at his official residence in Abuja on Friday, shortly after the judgment was delivered.
He said the court’s pronouncement proved that no one was above the law and that the party must return to order and due process.
“Today, the court has made a wise and bold decision,” Wike declared.
“It cannot be business as usual. Those who have disregarded the rules of our great party must now understand that the law supersedes personal interest.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, on Friday halted the PDP National Convention earlier scheduled to hold in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025.
In a ruling on the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Justice Omotosho restrained the party from proceeding with the planned event until it complied with provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.
According to the judgment, the PDP failed to conduct valid congresses across the states before announcing the convention.
The court maintained that any political party intending to hold a convention must first ensure legal compliance and fair representation across its structures.
Reacting to the development, Wike said the decision served as a wake-up call to the PDP leadership, which he accused of arrogance and disregard for loyal members who have stood by the party during challenging times.
“Leadership is key in everything,” Wike said.
“When people become arrogant to the point of saying nobody matters, they lose sight of those who built and sustained this party. Such leadership is destructive and cannot mean well for the PDP.”
The minister added that the PDP National Convention controversy reflected the deeper problem of poor leadership, emphasizing that discipline and fairness must guide the party’s internal processes if it hopes to regain public confidence.
Wike expressed mixed emotions about the ruling, admitting that while he was pleased the court acted to stop impunity, he was also saddened by the extent of internal decay within the PDP.
“On one hand, it’s one of my happiest days because the court has corrected an injustice,” he noted.
“On the other hand, it’s sad that we have come to this level. If you love your party, you will not be happy watching it crumble from within.”
He insisted that his stance had nothing to do with personal ambition but with the collective need to reform the PDP.
“The essence of opposition is to provide an alternative to the ruling party, not to engage in lawless behavior. We must first rebuild trust by respecting the constitution and electoral laws.”
Wike also criticized the PDP Governors’ Forum for its silence in the face of the ongoing leadership crisis, likening it to a family head watching his household collapse.
“I’ve never seen a father who watches his children suffer and says, ‘I don’t care.’ That’s exactly what is happening today. Our governors must take responsibility and act decisively to save this party,” he warned.
He urged the forum to prioritize party unity over personal political interests and to align their actions with the court’s directive to foster credibility and order.
Among those who attended the meeting were the PDP National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu; former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Senator representing the FCT, Philip Aduda; and the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule.
The stakeholders reportedly backed Wike’s call for reform, agreeing that the judgment stopping the PDP National Convention had given the party a critical opportunity to reset and rebuild before the next election cycle.
They emphasized that respect for due process and inclusivity remained the only pathway to reviving the PDP’s image as a credible opposition force capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Political analysts have interpreted the suspension of the PDP National Convention as a defining moment that could either deepen the opposition’s crisis or pave the way for internal renewal.
Supporters of the judgment argue that it reflects a growing demand for accountability within Nigerian politics, while critics fear that it could further fragment the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, for Wike and his allies, the decision stands as a victory for order and lawfulness a reminder that democracy cannot survive where impunity prevails.
The Federal High Court’s decision to stop the PDP National Convention has reignited debate about leadership, legality, and loyalty within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
For Nyesom Wike, the ruling is not just about halting an event, it is about restoring discipline and legality to a once-strong political institution struggling to find its footing.
Whether this becomes the turning point for true party reform or another flashpoint of internal division will depend on how the PDP responds in the coming weeks. For now, the court’s message is clear: adherence to the rule of law must guide every political process.
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