- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has warned stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against giving room for impunity in the party.
Wike gave the warning on Monday evening during a meeting with the stakeholders under the aegis of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP” in Abuja.
The meeting hosted by the Minister also had in attendance key figures from the influential G-5 group, a coalition of former governors which include former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who is the fifth G-5 member, was however absent at the meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Wike said the meeting was aimed at reaffirming the party’s strength and unity amid ongoing internal challenges by bringing together genuine loyalists of the party committed to its survival.
He thereafter warned against impunity and internal divisions, stressing that an opposition party cannot afford to alienate its own people.
“If the party had listened to what we say, we can’t arrive here. As an opposition party, we cannot continue to act on impunity.
“As we sit today, PDP has lost Edo state. PDP has lost Delta state. PDP has lost Akwa-Ibom state. I don’t know in Rivers state where they belong.
“As a serious party, we have eyes and see things happening like this and everyday, we don’t want to do what is right.
“No opposition party that allows impunity can survive. I have told my friends and colleagues, my fate is in my hand. So also is your fate in your hands. Should we allow this or take appropriate action that will make our party not to die?” He said.
Meanwhile, Wike maintained that the decisions of the G-5 governors during the 2023 elections helped prevent political crisis in the country.
“Today, this country is stabilized because of the activities of the G5 Governors.
“You may like us or hate us, but if G5 did not take the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis,” he said.
On the ongoing controversy surrounding the party’s national secretary position, Wike held that precedence exists for elected officers to hold on to party roles until elections are concluded.
Also speaking at the meeting was former Benue governor Ortom who described Wike as one of PDP’s strongest pillars.
According to report, Ortom noted that it was no surprise the president found him worthy of a sensitive national appointment.
He also lamented the PDP’s past missteps and poor leadership decisions, which he blamed for the party’s present troubles.
Other top PDP figures present at the meeting included Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s National Secretary; former Senate Minority Leader Philip Aduda; various serving and former lawmakers; as well as zonal and state-level party executives.