Wike Declares PDP "Reclaimed" as Party Holds 10th Elective Convention Amidst Internal Rift

ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been successfully "reclaimed" by its loyal members. Speaking at the party’s 10th Elective National Convention in Abuja, Wike asserted that the party had regained its institutional footing following a period of intense internal leadership disputes.

The convention, which was officially monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), took place despite the absence of several rival camps and high-profile governors. Wike cited the presence of the electoral umpire as a validation of the party’s "rebirth."

Wike Criticizes Defectors and Peter Obi

In a characteristically bold address, Wike took aim at opposition figures and party members who have recently defected. He framed the departure of certain governors as a "lack of leadership" and a failure to resolve internal crises.

"Leadership requires courage, firmness, and commitment," Wike stated. "When crises arise, true leaders stand and resolve them; they do not run away. We have reclaimed and returned the party to its rightful owners—the people."

Wike also extended his criticism to the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, comparing the actions of fleeing PDP governors to Obi’s departure from his previous political platform during times of friction. He urged those who left the party to return, emphasizing that any reconciliation must be rooted in "unity and discipline."

A Call for Institutional Order

The PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, echoed the call for unity, urging members to prioritize the party’s survival over personal political ambitions.

"No ambition is greater than this party. No office is worth the weakening of this platform," Mohammed told the delegates. He noted that recent judicial interventions should be viewed as a reminder that the party must operate strictly within a "constitutional order" rather than as a victory for any single faction.

Warnings of Potential Collapse

Despite the optimistic tone from the podium, other party stalwarts issued stern warnings regarding the PDP’s future. Former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu cautioned that without "genuine reconciliation," the party risks a total collapse.

Similarly, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido invoked the party’s history, reminding attendees of the PDP’s founding mission in 1998 to stabilize a divided Nigeria. He described the party as a "political home with deep roots" and pleaded with aggrieved members to return to help rebuild the national interest.