The internal crisis plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, publicly declared a complete breakdown in trust with key party leaders, stating unequivocally that he is pulling out of all previously reached agreements and will continue to fight until “justice is attained.”

In a strongly worded statement, Wike lambasted what he described as a “pernicious virus of dishonesty and treachery” festering within the PDP leadership. He said the party, once a formidable opposition force in Nigeria’s democratic space, is being torn apart by broken promises, political manipulation, and deliberate violations of internal agreements.

Wike, a founding member of the influential G5 Governors’ Group, revealed that recent reconciliation efforts within the party had failed due to continued betrayal. He specifically accused Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State of spearheading acts of bad faith, asserting that Makinde “was the architect of our problems.”

 

According to Wike, a key meeting held in Lagos with the G5 governors, and a follow-up meeting in Abuja at former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s guest house, had produced clear resolutions aimed at restoring order and stability to the PDP. These included recognition of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the legally affirmed National Secretary and the immediate withdrawal of court cases involving the party in Rivers State.

 

Despite those resolutions, Wike claims the party leadership has backtracked, citing attempts by Makinde and Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State to forcefully install Ude Okoye as Secretary against the party’s agreed position. He accused them of “connivance” and “orchestrating” parallel power structures that undermine the party’s legal and structural integrity.

Wike expressed his deep frustration over what he called the “crude violation” of gentlemen’s agreements reached during high-level reconciliation meetings. He pointed to the recently aborted North-Central Zonal Congress in Jos as evidence of this dysfunction, blaming it on an unauthorized letter signed by the Deputy National Secretary, which led INEC to refuse participation due to its illegitimacy.

 

He further criticized the PDP National Secretariat for issuing contradictory statements and for allowing politically motivated actors to override party procedures. “This is undeniably distasteful, provocative and annoying, to say the least,” Wike stated.

“I Have Decided to Fight On”

“I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached. I have decided to fight on until justice is attained.”

He noted that his long-standing loyalty to the PDP, which dates back to 1998, and his substantial contributions to the electoral successes of some current governors have been met with betrayal rather than gratitude. Despite this, he insisted that his fight is not for personal gain but for the soul of the party.

Wike’s explosive statement is likely to further destabilize an already fractured PDP, which has struggled to present a united front since the 2023 general elections. His open rift with other party heavyweights may embolden other aggrieved members or provoke renewed calls for party restructuring.

 

Political analysts say Wike’s declaration could have far-reaching implications for the party’s future electoral prospects, especially if other G5 allies choose to align with his stance.

 

As of press time, the PDP National Secretariat has not issued an official response to the statement.