Wike Urges PDP Factions to Unite Ahead Of 2027 Elections

In the wake of a significant Court of Appeal judgment that has further deepened the crisis within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on all aggrieved members to set aside their differences and personal ambitions to rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Wike described the appellate court’s decision to uphold a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the party’s 2025 national convention as a defining moment for the PDP.

He urged warring factions to see the ruling not as a cause for further litigation, but as an opportunity for reconciliation and renewal.

“For me, it’s an opportunity for everybody again to come back and see how we can salvage the party. But you see, mind you, the primaries will start from April. Now, this is March.

“Leave your ego. Leave your personal interests. Come back. Let’s sit down to say, ‘Now we’re here. Can we see how we can forge ahead?’ That’s an opportunity,” he said.

The minister, whose camp has been at loggerheads with other party leaders over the conduct of the disputed convention, warned that a rush to the Supreme Court would only inflict further damage on the party’s chances in the upcoming elections.

“If you say you want to go to the Supreme Court, mind you, the primaries will be from April to May. Now, look at it. By the time you go to the Supreme Court, you’re merely doing harm, causing harm for your party, which you say you love, and which will not help us,” he cautioned.

Wike emphasised that the court’s intervention was necessary because the party’s leadership had strayed beyond the bounds of internal affairs by violating constitutional provisions and electoral laws.

“So many people do not understand. We’re not talking about leadership. If you’re talking about leadership, you’re now talking about internal affairs.

“But when you say that you are violating the Constitution, you are violating the Electoral Act, you are violating the INEC Guidelines, and your own Constitution, it is no longer within the realm of the internal affairs of the party. The court must interfere,” he said.

The FCT minister, who has consistently opposed the now-nullified convention, expressed satisfaction with the judiciary’s stance, describing Friday as one of his happiest days.

“We must always abide according to rules. As an opposition party, we should not condone impunity. We should follow due process and allow rule of law to prevail,” he added.

Wike also used the opportunity to underscore the PDP’s importance as the nation’s primary opposition platform, dismissing smaller parties as inconsequential.

“The only opposition I think we have is PDP and the ruling party is APC. No other party I consider to be opposition. The mere fact that you are registered as a political party does not necessarily make you to be opposition, when you don’t have any seat anywhere. It doesn’t make any sense. That’s my position,” he said.

Clarifying the immediate future of the party’s leadership, Wike disclosed that the PDP Caretaker Committee, which was put in place following the expiration of the previous officers’ tenure, remains the recognised leadership.

He announced that the committee has already secured approval to hold a fresh national convention on March 29th and 30th.

“The Caretaker committee has gotten approval to use the Velodrome near the National Stadium for the national convention from 29th to 30th of March.

“Since the party cannot allow a vacuum, they have appointed people to run the affairs of the party pending when they hold the national convention. And from what the Court of Appeal said today, it is clear that convention does not stand,” he said.

He explained that an initial plan to use the Eagles Square was shelved due to the All Progressives Congress (APC) holding its own convention on the preceding days.

“So they have to choose an alternative venue which is the Velodrome of the National Stadium. They are already preparing for that convention and it should hold by grace of God,” he stated.