Seyi Makinde, Nyesom Wike

The internal rift within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated sharply yesterday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a faction aligned with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, engaged in a high-stakes verbal war over the party's leadership and its direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The dispute has created a volatile atmosphere within Nigeria’s main opposition party, with both sides claiming legal and constitutional legitimacy.

Wike Issues Ultimatum Over "Illegal" Party Structures

Speaking during a media chat, Minister Nyesom Wike dismissed the rival bloc led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN, as a "fraudulent" entity lacking legal standing. Wike challenged the group to move beyond rhetoric and attempt to establish a physical presence or financial infrastructure in the capital.

• Financial Challenge: Wike dared the faction to open an official party bank account and call for the payment of nomination fees. He asserted that no financial institution would honor such a request without authentic party documentation, which he claims the rival group does not possess.

• The "Seal-Off" Threat: Maintaining his stance as the FCT Minister, Wike vowed to shut down any parallel party secretariat established in Abuja. "If anybody goes ahead to open an illegal office... I will seal it," he declared, citing his mandate to maintain law and order and prevent a breach of peace.

• Judicial Defiance: The Minister accused the Turaki-led camp of ignoring court rulings and misinterpreting Supreme Court pronouncements. He characterized their attempts to form a caretaker structure as "419" (fraud) and criticized the Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Adolphus Wabara, for its role in the current impasse.

Wike also extended his criticism to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of violating the peace agreement previously brokered by President Bola Tinubu.

Makinde Faction Denounces "Political Rascality"

The PDP interim leadership, backed by Governor Seyi Makinde, responded swiftly, dismissing Wike’s comments as an "embarrassment" to the nation. In a statement released by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the faction characterized the Minister’s outburst as a display of "post-defeat trauma" and "political rascality."

"This statement is not a reply to his tirade, but an apology to Nigerians for having enabled a public figure whose conduct has become a national embarrassment," Ememobong stated.

The faction clarified several key points:

• Operational Continuity: The group insisted that the sale of nomination forms has commenced and that the party continues to operate its existing bank accounts despite Wike's threats.

• Leadership Status: The statement emphasized that Wike cannot assume the role of "National Leader," noting that such a position is not recognized by the PDP constitution.

• Legal Recourse: The faction urged individuals defamed by Wike’s comments to seek legal redress, maintaining that the party’s scheduled primaries and national convention will proceed as planned.

FCT Land Reforms

Amidst the political friction, Wike also addressed administrative matters in the FCT, defending the recent revocation of undeveloped land near Jabi Lake. He emphasized that the move was necessary to uphold the Abuja Master Plan, stating that land not developed within a specified timeframe would be reclaimed by the government to prevent 15-year stagnations.

As both factions dig in, the future of the PDP remains uncertain, with the judiciary expected to play a decisive role in determining which group holds the legitimate keys to the party's administration.