Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he and his loyalists within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not allow themselves to be used as bargaining tools amid the ongoing internal crisis in the opposition party.
Wike made the remarks on Friday in Abuja while addressing a gathering of Concerned PDP Stakeholders shortly before a closed-door meeting at his Lifecamp residence.
The meeting came on the heels of the court order halting the party’s planned national convention.
Among those present were the PDP National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Senator Philip Aduda, Hon. Micah Jiba, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), and other lawmakers from the South-East, South-South, and North-Central zones.
In his address, Wike said no individual or group within the PDP would be allowed to exploit his camp for personal or political negotiations.
“Let me be clear: nobody, and I mean nobody, will use us to negotiate for anything. We are part of this party; we have sacrificed for it. But we will not allow anybody to trade us off for personal gain,” he declared.
The minister described the current situation within the PDP as one of “mixed feelings,” noting that while he was satisfied that justice had prevailed through the court ruling, he was also saddened by the level of internal decay within the party.
“Those of us fighting today are not doing so for ourselves. We are doing it because we want the PDP to stand for something, due process, fairness, and respect for the rule of law,” he said.
Wike criticised what he called arrogance and impunity among some PDP leaders, warning that such attitudes were eroding the unity and credibility of the opposition.
“Leadership is not arrogance. When people begin to act as though nobody else matters, they destroy the same house they helped build,” he said.
“We stood firm during tougher times, even when the ruling party tried to divide us, and we will stand firm again.”
He lamented that instead of fostering unity, some governors and party officials were deepening divisions within the PDP.
“There can be no credible opposition that operates with impunity. If you say you want to take power from the ruling party, then you must first show Nigerians that you can obey your own rules,” he added.
Taking a swipe at those who believe political influence can be bought, Wike maintained that some party members remain incorruptible.
“Some think money will solve everything. No, it won’t. There are still people who cannot be bought, no matter how much you offer,” he said.
He commended members who filed the recent lawsuit against the PDP’s planned convention, praising their courage in the face of threats and intimidation.
“Many people give up once they are threatened. But these men and women stood their ground and said, ‘No, we will not allow injustice.’ I salute their courage,” he said.
The minister also accused certain party leaders of manipulating congresses and illegally zoning positions, alleging that some had diverted funds meant for party activities.
“A few people sit in their homes and decide where positions will go. They even pocket the funds meant for the process. It has never been this bad in the PDP,” he lamented.
While reaffirming his commitment to the PDP’s unity, Wike urged governors to focus state resources on development rather than using them to advance internal political interests.
“The funds available to states today are more than ever before. That money should be used to build infrastructure and reduce unemployment, not to weaken our party,” he stated.
Wike said his group remains open to dialogue but would not yield to intimidation or blackmail.
“We are open to peace, but we will not be blackmailed. We will continue to stand for truth and fairness until justice prevails in the PDP,” he concluded.
The closed-door meeting was attended by key PDP stakeholders from across the six geopolitical zones, with a communiqué expected to be issued at the end of the deliberations.
