The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has clarified that it cannot take disciplinary action against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, over alleged anti-party activities unless a formal petition is submitted with credible evidence.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, the PDP’s Deputy National Legal Adviser, Mr. Okechukwu Osuoha, explained that while public discourse has frequently questioned the party’s inaction regarding Wike, due process must be followed before any sanctions can be considered.
“People often ask me specifically about the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike , why don’t we discipline him? I tell them: it is not enough to merely allege that someone has committed an offence,” Osuoha said.
He revealed that the PDP’s National Executive Committee has already constituted a disciplinary committee headed by veteran politician Chief Tom Ikimi, with Eyitayo Jegede as secretary.
However, no action has been taken against any party member due to the absence of official complaints.
“If anyone believes a member has violated party rules, they must submit a written petition. And when the accused is invited, the petitioner must be present and ready to present evidence,” he added.
Osuoha further noted that the reluctance or failure of individuals to follow through on allegations by filing formal petitions reflects a broader challenge not only within the PDP but across Nigeria’s political and legal systems.
“This issue is not unique to the PDP. It mirrors the wider problem in the Nigerian system — identifying irregularities without taking the necessary legal steps to address them,” he said.
