By Deborah Nnamdi
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sidelining him in key party decisions, warning that their actions could lead to the collapse of the party.
Wike, who spoke during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, expressed disappointment that despite his long-standing contributions to the PDP, he was being excluded from major consultations.
“Have I not said it before now that the booby trap you are setting will consume you? The way these present governors are doing, they will bury this party,” he said.
Questioning the basis for his exclusion, the former Rivers State governor wondered why he was left out of party meetings simply because he no longer holds a governorship position.
“I am the FCT Minister. Are you telling me that because I am not a governor, you will hold a PDP stakeholders’ meeting and exclude me, and then expect the party to survive?” he asked.
Wike maintained that his influence and contributions to the PDP should warrant continued consultation on key issues, adding, “Assuming I am not a minister, by the role I have played in the PDP till now, is it right to say I cannot be consulted in taking decisions of the party? Certainly not.”
He dismissed claims that the party’s internal troubles were caused by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the PDP’s challenges were self-inflicted.
“All these talks about APC are rubbish. Is it the APC that makes you take wrong decisions? You mean two or three people, because they are governors and receive large allocations, will go and decide, and you tell me to follow? Follow who?” Wike said.
On the PDP’s planned national convention, Wike accused the leadership of failing to complete necessary congresses and other preparatory processes, which he said were delaying progress.
“If they do the right thing, will anybody stall the convention? They have not done the congresses and other things that should be in place,” he stated.
The PDP has in recent months been grappling with internal crises and defections involving key figures such as Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno. The party is also facing multiple legal battles ahead of its forthcoming convention.
