Reclaiming national secretariat confirms PDP’s authentic leadership — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday said the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee’s return to the national secretariat affirms the authenticity of its leadership, declaring that any rival faction claiming legitimacy should convene its meeting at the same venue to prove its standing.

Wike made the statement during the PDP’s 108th National Executive Committee meeting held at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The minister also urged the Mohammed-led NWC to intensify efforts to reconcile with members who have defected, stressing that unity and inclusiveness are critical to strengthening the party ahead of future political contests.

He stated, “Let me first of all congratulate Mr Chairman and his team for their emergence at the last concluded National Convention. Let us congratulate you that after inauguration, you took steps to make sure that we reclaimed our secretariat, which is where we are sitting today.

“What shows that you are the authentic PDP is because you are holding your meeting at the National Secretariat. If there is any other PDP, let them come to the National Secretariat and hold their own meeting.

“Instead of us hiring hotels and other areas, you made sure that we reclaimed our National Secretariat. I thank you and members of your team. Let me use this opportunity to also say that all of us, having had the debate, that for whatever happens, we will continue to remain members of the Peoples Democratic Party. I know in life there must be a period of crisis. Nobody can say that in his or her family everything has been going on smoothly. No, sometimes it will be rough. It is the ability for you to withstand those challenges.

“I want to commend all of you, the leaders, for being faithful and committed. In fact, despite all the temptation for you to have abandoned your party, you said no, that you would continue to be here. I want to thank all of you. That shows people who are loyal; that shows you want to remain members of this party.”

Wike warned that the party’s leadership should not halt the reconciliation process, noting that broader inclusion would only strengthen the party.

He continued, “So let us not say that those who have defected should be left alone. No. Chairman and your team, make sure you put up a strong committee that will still go ahead and talk to those who have defected. And whatever is due to them, they will still have it. Most of them may have defected because of uncertainty.

“If, for instance, I want to run an election and I’m not sure who will sign my documents to be presented to INEC, then most people will definitely find where they can get succour. But now, if you go and talk to them, I believe they will have a rethink and continue to support this party.

“On my own part, let me assure you, I will continue to support the party. I will continue to be loyal to the party. Since 1998 till now, I have been a member of the PDP, and I will not leave the party. That is the truth of the matter.

“Let us also assure those of you who have said, believing that the matter is in court. I believe that our lawyers are doing great work, and I want to leave it for our lawyers. We are confident that our lawyers have been doing great work. God, who has led us this far, can never abandon us. So if God wanted to abandon us, we wouldn’t have started winning.

“So let me plead with the party, particularly the NWC, to show difference, to show difference in what is to happen. Let us be open and transparent. Let people know indeed we are serious to correct some anomalies or mistakes that previous leadership may have made. Nobody is perfect. What will happen is that if people are coming back, people will praise you that indeed you are doing well for this party. But if people are not coming back, then we are going to ask some questions—what are you doing? So I please want to plead with you: show transparency, show openness, so that we will get whatever we want to get.”

The PDP has been entangled in a prolonged internal crisis, with the party divided into factions.

One camp, led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), is supported by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, while the opposing faction under Mohammed enjoys the backing of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

In pursuit of favourable legal outcomes, both sides have filed multiple suits.

In one of the ongoing cases, The PUNCH reported on April 16 that Anyanwu lodged a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, contesting the judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, which dismissed his case and upheld his recommended expulsion from the party.

The appeal, dated April 10, 2026, was submitted at the Abuja Judicial Division of the appellate court, challenging the January 12, 2026, ruling delivered by Justice Yusuf Halilu in suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1050/2025.

Meanwhile, the Turaki-led faction has, through its legal representatives, petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking the derecognition of the Mohammed/Anyanwu faction, and by extension, the Wike-backed camp.