PDP Mum Over Wike’s Claim Of Getting Nod To Be Minister

The national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was silent yesterday over the disclosure of minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike that he got its clearance to serve as minister in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Calls and text message made to party’s national chairman, Ambassador Umar Illiya Damagun, were neither picked nor replied to as of the time of filing this report. The national publicity secretary of the party, Hon Debo Ologunagba, could not also be reached as of press time.

Wike, during his maiden media briefing upon assumption of office yesterday at the FCT, disclosed that he got the permission of the PDP leadership to serve as minister.

The minister said he wrote to the PDP national chairman, the south-south zonal chairman and the state chairman to notify them of his appointment, adding that they all wrote back to him giving their approval.

The former governor, who is the only member of the opposition party in President Tinubu’s cabinet, however dismissed any possibility of defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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“Why should anyone be bothered about what party flag I will be flying? Okay, bring the PDP flag, I will fly it, bring the Labour Party flag, I will fly it. The FCT is in this state and you think the people are bothered about the party flag I fly?

Recall that PDP and its presidential candidate, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are in court challenging the victory of Tinubu in the February 25 election.

Wike, alongside five other governors and some party chieftains, had worked against Atiku’s bid for the presidency. They have since openly declared that they worked for the APC presidential candidate.

However, a member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) who spoke with leadership in confidence, said if what Wike has said is true then it’s appalling that the party leadership could give such a clearance, knowing that the party is still in court.

The party chieftain said it would be awkward to assume that the party leadership endorsed a government of national unity with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) without carrying members along.

“In any case we await a reaction from the party leadership. We hope they will clear the air on the matter. If not, it will really be sad that this leadership can do such a thing,” the party chieftain said.

Also a former National Working Committee (NWC) member said “let’s give the party leadership the benefit of doubt. It’s too hasty to believe what’s been said so far. Let’s wait for their explanation.”