By Adenike Lawal
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has openly addressed the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing some party governors of betrayal and violating internal agreements that were intended to restore unity following the 2023 general elections.
In a frank disclosure, Wike stated that the party’s internal instability stems from dishonesty and the consistent failure of key stakeholders to honour agreed resolutions.
He noted that despite multiple reconciliation efforts, including high-level meetings with the G5 and other party heavyweights, fundamental agreements have been disregarded by those he once trusted.
“At a G5 meeting in Lagos, I told Governor Makinde to his face that he was the architect of our problems,” Wike said. “Failure to honor agreements has been our bane, and he was chiefly responsible.”
Although the meeting concluded with a resolution to move forward, Wike recounted that actions taken afterward contradicted the spirit of that reconciliation.
Wike also referenced a follow-up meeting in Abuja, attended by Governors Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Umaru Fintiri, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The meeting resolved to recognize Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary in line with a Supreme Court ruling, to withdraw all legal cases relating to Rivers State, and to promote unity within the party.
However, Wike said these resolutions were promptly violated. He accused Governors Makinde and Peter Mbah of attempting to replace Anyanwu with Ude Okoye through a manipulated meeting of South-East party leaders, threatening to quit the PDP if their demands were not met.
He further alleged illegal efforts to appoint the Deputy National Secretary as acting National Secretary without due process.
This, he said, led to unauthorized NEC meeting notices and endorsements, one of which caused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to boycott a PDP zonal congress in Jos over concerns about improper documentation.
“These actions are in direct violation of what we all agreed upon,” Wike said. “They are not only provocative and destabilizing but completely undermine the integrity of the party.”
As a founding member of the PDP since 1998, Wike underscored his loyalty and contributions to the party, including his role in securing electoral victories for several governors.
He lamented what he described as betrayal and ingratitude in return.
“I have never made any personal demands from those I helped. I only asked for trust and commitment to our agreements,” he added. “But since it’s clear that deception has become their strategy, I am pulling out of all previous agreements. I will continue to fight until justice is served.”
Wike’s strong words expose growing fractures within the PDP as it faces an uphill task of regaining public confidence and electoral strength.
His withdrawal from previously negotiated settlements may further deepen the party’s divisions ahead of future elections.
