Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State (left) and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
In a renewed effort to reposition Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday evening convened a high-level closed-door meeting with key party leaders in Abuja under the banner of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP.”
The strategic gathering brought together a cross-section of PDP heavyweights, notably three members of the influential G5 Governors: former Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
While the attendance of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde—another G5 member—remained unclear at press time, the meeting was graced by PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; former Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda; serving and former lawmakers; and senior party executives from across the country.
In his address, Wike launched a searing yet reflective critique of the PDP’s internal missteps, asserting that the controversial stance taken by the G5 Governors during the 2023 general elections was instrumental in preventing national instability.
“Today, this country is stable because of the actions of the G5 Governors. You may like us, you may hate us, but the truth is that if the G5 had not made the decision we did, Nigeria could have been plunged into crisis,” Wike stated, referencing the group’s opposition to the party’s presidential ticket in protest of what they described as a breach of the PDP’s zoning principles.
He emphasized that the meeting was not about media showmanship, but a serious gathering of grassroots-focused party loyalists determined to revamp the PDP.
“Let us not allow greed and ego to destroy our party,” Wike warned.
He also decried the leadership’s disregard for constitutional order, pointing to what he described as systemic impunity in the party.
Citing examples such as Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas and Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi, Wike questioned how individuals could hold party positions while actively pursuing elective offices without proper resignations.
Wike’s remarks were widely interpreted as a critique of the party’s internal disarray, especially amid growing disputes surrounding key appointments and calls for urgent reconciliation.
In a passionate intervention, former Governor Samuel Ortom defended Wike’s central role in sustaining the PDP.
“He who pays the piper dictates the tune,” Ortom declared, challenging critics to name any individual who has invested more in the PDP than Wike.
Ortom went further, lauding President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Wike as FCT Minister, describing it as a pragmatic move to avoid turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
“For whatever reason, PDP made a lot of mistakes, and we are where we are today,” Ortom admitted, calling for honest introspection and structural reforms.
As of press time, the meeting was still underway behind closed doors, with expectations high for a formal communiqué outlining the group’s resolutions.
Sources suggest the discussions may yield a roadmap for reconciliation, revitalization of zonal structures, and possibly the formation of a strategic opposition bloc within the PDP.
Political observers view the meeting, drawing in estranged but influential party figures, as a potentially defining moment for the PDP’s future. Whether it will mark a genuine turning point or become another chapter in the party’s prolonged internal wrangling remains to be seen.
