Wike Rejects PDP’s Plan To Hold Convention In Ibadan
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said he is not aware of any proposed elective convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), vowing to challenge the plan alongside his group.
Wike said he and his allies in the party would be meeting today (Wednesday) to review the decision, stressing that they would not allow any “injustice” to stand.
Wike warned that the convention could not proceed unless the South-South zonal congress held in Calabar, where his loyalists emerged as leaders, was recognised.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television, Wike insisted he had no knowledge of any elective convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He said, “Have they given a date for Ibadan? I don’t know. When has the party’s NEC sat? When did they agree on that? The one they said is NEC is not NEC; NEC has not met. In fact, we are meeting tomorrow. NEC has not met.”
Asked if he was planning a parallel convention, Wike replied, “I am not aware that they are going for a convention in Ibadan. As a NEC member, I have not been told, and nobody has invited me for a NEC meeting. If those people who are working as a team say they are holding NEC, so be it. If no notice of meeting has been served on me as a member of NEC, I have every right to challenge that, and no one can deny me my rights.”
On whether he would head to court, Wike said, “Our group is meeting tomorrow (Wednesday). Obviously, we will not allow that injustice to prevail. We will not allow that impunity. We will not allow that.”
When asked if he would back the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2027 despite currently serving in President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) government, the FCT Minister said, “I will support somebody who I know will make Nigeria grow, somebody who has the interest of Nigeria. I don’t believe in sentiments; I don’t believe in emotion.”
Pressed further on whether this might amount to anti-party activity, as with the G-5 governors in 2023, he insisted, “Being a party man does not mean I will not support someone that has helped this country. Because I am a party man, you just want the country to start going backwards?”
The PDP, however, dismissed speculation that some members were plotting a parallel national convention in Abuja.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, yesterday insisted the Ibadan convention fixed for November 15 and 16 remained sacrosanct.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
