- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to overhaul the structure of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) structure as he hosted the Board of Trustees (BoT) members of the party’s faction led by its Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed.
Wike made the vow while addressing the BoT members in Abuja of Sunday.
The FCT Minister had at the meeting vehemently rejected his expulsion from the party by the Tanimu-led faction which was backed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed.
He said he has been a member of the party from its inception and has contributed meaningfully to its growth.
Wike recounted how Makinde and Bala joined the PDP as he reiterated that he would not allow those who met him in the party to kill it.
“Seyi Makinde is my younger brother. He was in SDP. I know when he came to Mobil. He was in SDP and didn’t make it.
“How can those who met me in my house come to drive me out. I will never agree. It doesn’t make sense.
“I ran as Chairman of council from 1999 to 2008. I ran under PDP and I won. I ran for second time and I won. I ran for governorship and I won under PDP.
“Ask Bala Mohammed which party he ran under as a senator, because our party has always thought that people who come in can become governors and senators.
“They now think they can pursue those who have made sacrifices for the party from its inception and formation. If people have allowed them before, we will not allow them,” he said.
The FCT Minister reaffirmed his commitment in ensuring that the party keeps on going as he held that Makinde and Bala are on their way out of the party.
“They are on their way out of the party. We will not allow them to destroy the party.
“The party must keep on going. People must be in charge to direct the affairs of the party.” He added.
Wike however accused the faction of disregarding two substantive judgments of the Federal High Court, which he said had ruled on the matter, yet they proceeded to hold their own convention and later approached a State High Court to seek recognition.
“You went to a State High Court to sue INEC, asking that the convention must take place, and you got an ex-parte order to override judgments of the Federal High Court. How do you disobey two final judgments and still claim leadership?” He asked
The Minister, as quoted in a statement issued by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, further stated that the same group returned to another court, seeking validation after failing to comply with lawful rulings.
“You had the convention without obeying the court, and now you are back asking a Federal High Court to recognize you. If INEC already recognizes you, what exactly are you going to court for?” he asked.
Wike warned that such actions could jeopardize the future of the party, stressing that leaders must not allow selfish interests to destroy the political platform that has existed since 1998.
“We must not allow our party to die. Leadership requires commitment and honesty, not propaganda. If we don’t respect our own laws, how do we earn respect from Nigerians?” Wike stated.
He called on party faithful to support lawful leadership and unite to rebuild the PDP in line with democratic principles and judicial integrity.
The minister charged the stakeholders to remain firm and strong, while asserting that those who did not mean well for the party were on their way out.