FCT minister Nyesom Wike says he and other founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party will not allow certain politicians to destroy the PDP as plans are underway to organise a national convention.

Mr Wike said this on Sunday during the 104th National Executive Committee meeting of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction of the party held at the minister’s official residence in Abuja.

The minister also berated the Tanimu Turaki-led faction for violating court judgments by conducting an “illegal convention”. He insisted that the party must respect judicial processes to regain public confidence.

He accused the faction of disregarding two substantive judgments of the Federal High Court, which he said had ruled on the matter.

“You went to a State High Court to sue the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), asking that the convention must take place. 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 stated. “You had the convention without obeying the court, and now you are back asking a Federal High Court to recognise you. If INEC already recognised you, what exactly are you going to court for?”

The FCT minister warned that such actions could jeopardise the party’s future, 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?” Mr Wike stated.

He called on the party faithful to support lawful leadership and unite to rebuild the PDP in line with democratic principles and judicial integrity.

Meanwhile, participants at the meeting urged the party’s NEC to constitute a caretaker committee to guide the party, noting that the current National Working Committee’s tenure expires on Tuesday.

The chairman of the board of trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, stated that the transition plan aligns with the party’s constitution to ensure administrative continuity, unity, and stability across all party structures.

Mr Ohuabunwa said the move was one of several measures designed to consolidate internal reforms, restore confidence among members, and strengthen compliance with the rule of law.

He also highlighted the ongoing establishment of caretaker leadership in certain states and zones, such as Anambra and the South-East, where congresses could not be held earlier, describing these efforts as necessary to prevent leadership gaps and enhance party organisation.

At the end of the meeting, the NEC constituted a national caretaker committee as the tenure of the current NWC will end on Tuesday.

The 13-member caretaker committee, with Abdulrahman Mohammed as chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as secretary, would run the affairs of the party, pending the conduct of a national convention.

The NEC also appointed Kamaldeen Ajibade as the national legal adviser and Umar Bature as the national organising secretary. Other members are Kyari Grema, Janguda Mohammed, Okechukwu Osuana, Nwogu Olaka, Sandy Onor, Adenike Ogunse, Bisi Kolawole, Deji Doherty, and Ibrahim Aboki.

The caretaker committee has been mandated to run the affairs of the party for 60 days, during which all pending congresses should be held and a national convention held. 

(NAN)