Wike to PDP Leaders: Talk to Us or Forget National Convention
Abuja, Nigeria — The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declared that the party’s planned national convention may not hold unless its leaders engage with aggrieved stakeholders.
Wike made the statement on Friday when he hosted a meeting of Concerned PDP Stakeholders at his residence in Life Camp, Abuja, in the wake of a Federal High Court judgment restraining the PDP from conducting its convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, had ruled that the PDP failed to comply with statutory provisions of its constitution and the Electoral Act, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise any outcome from the proposed event.
Describing the ruling as “unfortunate,” Wike said the development reflected the growing impunity within the party’s leadership structure.
“We are pleased to have fought against impunity in our party. But for this convention to hold, PDP leaders must talk to us. They cannot continue to ignore genuine concerns from stakeholders,” Wike stated.
The Minister, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the stakeholders were not fighting the PDP but were demanding fairness, inclusiveness, and respect for the party’s constitution.
He accused the current leadership of taking major decisions without consulting key members, warning that such tendencies could further destabilize the opposition party.
In a separate statement, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, maintained that the court judgment would not derail the party’s preparations for the convention.
Ologunagba described the ruling as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” insisting that the PDP remains committed to conducting a credible and transparent convention.
“The PDP has surmounted greater challenges in the past. We will continue our preparations within the bounds of the law to strengthen our democracy,” he said.
Political observers say the disagreement between the party leadership and Wike’s faction may further polarize the PDP ahead of the convention. With both sides standing their ground, the opposition party faces renewed uncertainty over its unity and readiness for future elections.