Wike-Backed PDP Says It Will Criticise Tinubu’s Gov’t Based On Research 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said the party will adopt a research-driven approach in engaging and criticising the administration of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that its opposition role would remain constructive and issue-based.

Speaking to journalists after a party meeting, National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, emphasized that the PDP would not engage in “mere attacks” but would rely on thorough analysis through its internal policy framework.

“We do not simply go out attacking the government. We have to conduct our research and bring out issues that can be used to engage the government constructively,” he said.

According to him, the party’s opposition strategy is anchored on the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), which he described as a platform for developing informed critiques of government policies.

“We do not just wake up one morning, go to the press, and start attacking the government. Our criticism is issue-based, and we can only do that through our research and opposition framework,” Anyanwu added.

On internal party matters, the PDP scribe dismissed claims of factional leadership, particularly narratives suggesting the existence of a “Turaki-led” structure within the party.

“There is only one political party, and I want the press to correct this impression,” he said. “Turaki is a member of PDP as of now; he remains a member of PDP until he resigns from the party.”

He stressed that the party operates under a unified leadership led by its National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, noting that the successful conduct of the party’s convention and inauguration of the National Working Committee (NWC) reaffirmed its cohesion.

“There is only one leadership of the party… we have held a convention, and that is why there is no faction within PDP,” he stated.

Anyanwu also disclosed that the party is intensifying efforts to reconcile aggrieved members and strengthen internal unity. He revealed that a high-level reconciliation committee would soon be constituted to engage stakeholders across the country.

“In the next few days, we are going to set up a powerful committee comprising men and women of proven character and integrity to move zone by zone to bring people together,” he said.

On preparations for the 2027 general elections, the PDP National Secretary confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the timetable for party primaries, adding that further details would soon be released by the NWC.

“INEC has approved the timetable. The timetable will soon be made available by the National Working Committee,” he said.

He also urged party leaders at all levels to intensify efforts toward membership registration ahead of INEC’s deadline, commending state chairmen and grassroots mobilisers for their ongoing work.

“I would like to thank all our state party chairmen and leaders who are working to ensure that all members of PDP are registered before the closure of the INEC timetable,” Anyanwu noted.

Reiterating the party’s readiness for future contests, he maintained that the PDP remains focused on strengthening its structures while providing responsible opposition to the ruling government.