Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, has accused the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of attempting to sabotage the party, describing their actions as self-serving and harmful to the opposition’s future.
During a media session held in Abuja on Wednesday, 12th March, Wike also criticised the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), calling their decision to hold another South-South Zonal Congress “foolish.”
The former governor of Rivers State alleged that the current crop of PDP governors lacked the commitment needed to ensure the party’s survival, unlike during his tenure.
He said: “This is a set of governors that want PDP to die. Their only interest is to kill PDP. I was a governor when the ruling party under President Muhammadu Buhari tried to destroy the PDP using Ali Modu Sheriff. I stood my ground. I never went to the Villa, never begged for help. I even stopped attending NEC and Council of State meetings because I feared for my life. But I was determined that PDP would survive.”
Wike accused some PDP leaders of engaging in hypocritical politics, claiming that they publicly express one stance but act differently in private.
He remarked: “Forget about these people who say one thing in the day and do another thing at night. I have never played two roles, and I never will. When the 2023 PDP presidential primaries happened, I never asked for money or conditions. My belief was that the presidency should go to the South. I knew who was likely to win, so I played my game openly. But look at these governors today – they have one leg here and another there. What kind of character is that?”
Wike also directed his anger at the PDP NWC for attempting to organise another South-South Zonal Congress, despite an earlier congress having already taken place. He questioned the leadership’s decision-making and credibility.
“Now look at how they are behaving. The congress has been held, yet they want to create problems. That’s why I say the NWC is stupid. Yes, I said it – stupid NWC!” Wike declared.
He dismissed the NWC’s focus on the South-South Zonal Congress, insisting that the PDP should be addressing more important issues rather than engaging in power struggles.
He said: “All they are interested in is the zonal congress. Rubbish! PDP needs to wake up.”
When pressed to reconsider his strong language, he responded: “What will they do? When they don’t have credibility? I didn’t call their names, but they know themselves.”
Wike criticised the PDP governors for failing to be a strong opposition force, accusing them of prioritising their personal ambitions over the party’s interests.
He warned that he could expose their individual roles in the party’s current crisis.
“Instead of thinking about how to strengthen the opposition, every governor is playing their own game. Let them challenge me – I will tell them one by one the roles they are playing. They don’t have what it takes to accuse me of anything,” he added.
He specifically called out Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors Forum, suggesting that he had contributed to the party’s struggles.
Despite rumours suggesting he might defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike affirmed that he would remain in the PDP and continue fighting from within.
He stated: “If I decide to move to APC, I will tell you. But I don’t run from fights. I’m not leaving this party. The governors have the money, but are they even using it for the party? No!”
Wike also criticised Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, accusing him of attempting to impose his leadership on the South-East without making the necessary sacrifices.
He said: “Look at Enugu Governor. He wants to be the leader of the South-East, and I agree with that. But as a leader, you must make sacrifices. Today, nobody bought a PDP governorship form in Anambra. How can you claim leadership of PDP in the region when you can’t even field a candidate in a state like Anambra?”
