PDP Will Not Die Despite Crisis” — Wike Assures Party Stakeholders
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not collapse despite ongoing internal conflicts. Speaking with confidence and resolve, Wike emphasized that the party still has resilient members committed to ensuring its survival and revitalization.
He made this statement on Monday evening during a meeting with top members of the PDP, held under the banner of the Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP. The meeting, which took place in Abuja, brought together a powerful array of party leaders, signaling what could be a new chapter in efforts to mend the deep divisions within the PDP.
G5 Governors Still Stand by Their Decision
Wike used the platform to reiterate the crucial role played by the G5 Governors during the 2023 general elections. According to him, the bold stance taken by the group — which includes Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Wike himself — was instrumental in preventing post-election unrest and political instability in the country.
“Today, this country is stabilized because of the activities of the G5 Governors,” Wike declared. “You may like us, you may hate us. The truth of the matter is, if G5 did not take the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis.”
He emphasized that the group’s decision not to back the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was not personal but rooted in principles — specifically, the need to uphold the North-South zoning arrangement that many within the party felt had been ignored.
“It doesn’t matter who the beneficiary was, but the right thing had to be done and we still stand by that decision,” he added.
Greed and Impunity Threaten Party Unity
In a direct critique of the PDP leadership, Wike did not hold back. He accused some party leaders of ignoring the party’s constitution and operating with impunity, actions he said have weakened the party’s credibility as a serious opposition force.
“If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t have been where we are today,” Wike said. “That, as an opposition party, we cannot continue to act with impunity. No opposition party acts with impunity.”
Wike urged party members to set aside personal interests, ego, and greed for the sake of unity and political relevance.
“Ours is to continue to placate people and bring them together, not to say that they should go to hell. Let us not allow greed, let us not allow ego to kill our party,” he warned.
Hope for the Future of the PDP
Despite the challenges, Wike expressed strong optimism about the PDP’s future. He noted that the presence of dedicated stakeholders — former governors, party executives, legislators, and grassroots mobilizers — is proof that the party is far from dead.
Among those present at the meeting were former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Samuel Ortom, and Okezie Ikpeazu; National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Philip Aduda; as well as serving and former lawmakers and zonal/state executives.
This show of solidarity is seen by many observers as a potential turning point. With elections on the horizon in several states and preparations already underway for 2027, stakeholders believe that unity, accountability, and internal democracy will be critical to the party’s revival.
For now, Wike’s message is clear: the PDP is down, but it is not out — and with the right leadership and reconciliation, it may yet reclaim its place as a formidable political force in Nigeria.
