Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared his commitment to safeguarding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from what he described as “vampires” seeking to hijack its structures, while also keeping a close watch on developments in the Oyo State chapter of the party.
Wike made the remarks on Monday during the 105th meeting of the PDP National Executive Committee in Abuja, stressing that his interest lies in ensuring the survival and success of the party nationwide.
“Let me declare my interest clearly: I am interested in the survival and success of this party. I am also interested in all the happenings in Oyo State PDP. That is all I am interested in,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor dismissed claims of intimidation within the party, arguing that recent legal battles had collapsed and left no option but to recognise the Caretaker Committee. He warned against attempts to hijack the party’s structures across the country, insisting such moves must be resisted.
“Who will intimidate us to the end? Some of us, by the grace of God, do not see what anyone can threaten us with. The legal battle has collapsed. They have no option but to recognise the Caretaker Committee,” Wike stated.
He urged members to return to grassroots mobilisation rather than treating the PDP as a charity organisation. “Go to the wards. Go to the polling units. Go to the grassroots. Forget the idea that this is a charity organisation,” he cautioned.
Wike also rejected the notion that political strength depends solely on having incumbent governors, recalling his own rise within the party. “Some people believe that if you do not have a sitting governor, then you are nothing. Who told them that? I was not a governor when I became governor,” he said.
Despite ongoing disputes, Wike maintained that the PDP remains a formidable force. “The PDP is too strong, very strong. We must capitalise on what we have and move forward,” he added.
He acknowledged peace appeals from the Board of Trustees and the National Working Committee but urged vigilance, warning that efforts to destabilise the party were still active. “They will not give up until they believe you are destroyed. But I will not be destroyed. You will not be destroyed. Let us move forward,” he said.
The NEC meeting also fixed March 28–29, 2026, for the party’s national convention in Abuja, where a new National Working Committee and other statutory organs will be elected. The decision followed a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that nullified the November 2025 convention which produced Taminu Turaki as chairman, affirming instead the Caretaker Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu.
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