The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed that he and other founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not allow individuals who defected into the party to destabilise it.
Wike made the remark on Sunday while addressing the 104th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction, held at his official residence in Abuja.
The minister criticised the Tanimu Turaki-led faction for allegedly violating court rulings by organising what he described as an “illegal convention.” He said respect for judicial decisions remains essential if the PDP hopes to regain the trust of Nigerians.
Wike accused the faction of ignoring two subsisting Federal High Court judgments on the party’s leadership crisis, only to seek refuge in a State High Court.
“You went to a State High Court to sue INEC so your convention could hold. You obtained an ex-parte order to override earlier Federal High Court rulings. How do you bypass two final judgments and still claim leadership?” he asked.
He said the group later returned to another court seeking recognition after already conducting a convention without complying with lawful directives.
“If INEC has supposedly recognised you, why are you back in court? What exactly are you asking for?” he added.
Wike warned that such disregard for court orders could endanger the PDP’s future, stressing that the party must uphold its own rules.
“We must not allow our party to collapse. Leadership is about sincerity and accountability. If we can’t obey our own laws, how do we expect Nigerians to trust us?” he said.
He urged party members to support legitimate leadership and work together to rebuild the PDP in line with democratic and judicial standards.
During the meeting, participants urged the NEC to set up a Caretaker Committee, noting that the tenure of the current National Working Committee (NWC) expires on Tuesday.
Responding, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, said the transition plan aligns with the party’s constitution and aims to sustain unity, stability, and administrative order.
He noted that caretaker structures were already being set up in states and zones where congresses had not been held, including Anambra and the South-East, to prevent leadership gaps.
At the end of the meeting, the NEC formally inaugurated a 13-member National Caretaker Committee to run the party for 60 days, with Abdulrahman Mohammed as Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Secretary.
The NEC also approved the appointment of Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) as National Legal Adviser and Umar Bature as National Organising Secretary.
Other members of the committee include Dr. Kyari Grema, Janguda Mohammed, Okechukwu Osuana, Senator Nwogu Olaka, Senator Sandy Onor, Prof. Adenike Ogunse, Bisi Kolawole, Deji Doherty and Dr. Ibrahim Aboki.
The committee is mandated to oversee all pending congresses and organise a national convention within the two-month period.