A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Umar Sani has accused the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, as being the person working against the planned National convention of the Party.
He noted that the rift between Wike and other senior party chieftains has continued to fuel divisions within the PDP, stressing that there is a limit to which Wike can be tolerated and allowed to destroy the party just for his selfish interest.
Sani pointedly said that Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who is working for the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government, is seriously resisting efforts aimed at resolving the internal crisis within the PDP.
Speaking when he featured on Trust Television, Sani said the PDP convention was designed to restore order and strengthen the party’s structure, stressing that Wike’s opposition to it stemmed from fears that the success of the scheduled event would diminish his influence and cut him to size.
In the words of Sani; “The proposed convention would allow the PDP to reorganize and ease out everybody who is not working for the interests of the Party. Wike’s resistance to the process is motivated by self-preservation.
“Wike knows that his end in the party has come and that is why he is fighting tooth and nail to ensure that he scuttles it (the national convention).
“How can someone who has openly declared that he is working for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections still want to retain his membership of the PDP. It seriously call to question his political alignment vis-a-viz the future of the PDP as it seeks to rebuild and strengthen its opposition role”, he said
Sani particularly questioned Wike’’s loyalty to the PDP after aligning himself with the ruling APC in preparation for the 2027 general elections, stressing that Wike’s conduct is nothing short of “anti-party,” and must be so treated.
He noted that the FCT Minister’s boldness was being reinforced by allies within the PDP’s leadership who enable him to undermine party’s unity.
Sani said that despite the internal turmoil withing the PDP, it has to be understood that a recent court ruling did not prevent the PDP from holding its national convention, stressing that the Party still retains the legal authority to move forward with the event in the coming weeks.
“The national convention remains essential for the PDP’s stability and credibility ahead of future elections,” Sani said.
