The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened on Monday as former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, launched a blistering attack on some party leaders whom he accused of deceit, desperation, blackmailing the judiciary, and attempting to destabilize the opposition party through unlawful actions and fake news.
Speaking at a meeting of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) in Abuja, Wike praised members of the party’s top organs for ignoring what he described as a coordinated campaign of misinformation spread on social media. He said that reports claiming the crucial meetings had been cancelled were “fake news sponsored by political impostors who want to destroy the PDP.”
Wike commended the Acting National Chairman and the NWC for “holding the party together since the crisis broke out,” noting that leadership required commitment and a genuine interest in the survival of the party. According to him, the current national leadership has demonstrated both.
He also accused a former gubernatorial aspirant and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) of parading false claims about a purported PDP national convention, describing the lawyer’s actions as “embarrassing” and “a disgrace to the legal profession.” Wike argued that it was “unfortunate” that someone who lobbied for the position of national chairman would turn around to “fabricate an imaginary expulsion certificate” and mislead the public.
The former governor questioned the legal logic of those claiming that a convention had taken place, noting that the same individuals had gone to both the state high court and the Federal High Court seeking contradictory orders. “How can you go to a state high court to compel a convention, claim you held it, then rush to the Federal High Court to ask INEC to recognise you?” he asked. “If you believe your convention is legal, why not go back to the same state high court you used earlier?”
He alleged that those promoting the crisis were notorious for filing frivolous petitions against judges handling PDP matters, describing it as a long-established strategy to intimidate the judiciary. Wike praised the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for resisting such pressures and reaffirming that courts would only act based on facts and the law.
The former governor insisted that only the Federal High Court had issued a valid judgment on the matter, and that the PDP had lawfully sought enforcement of the judgment, including directives for police and DSS protection of the legitimate officers of the party. He said the opposition faction had misled the public into believing that the Supreme Court had already ruled on the issue as “internal affairs of the party,” calling such propaganda false.
Wike also delved into PDP history, reminding members that he had been part of the party since its formation in 1998, unlike some of the individuals now attempting to “drive out those who built the party.” He said he had served as a local government chairman, chief of staff, minister, and governor under the PDP, and would not allow newcomers to dismantle the foundation laid by early members.
He described the crisis as part of a pattern where leaders who join the party later feel entitled to dictate its direction, often to the detriment of the founding members. “People come into the party, become governors or senators, then turn around to chase out those who sacrificed for the PDP from the beginning,” he said. “We allowed it before, but we will not allow it again.”
Wike noted that those causing instability were already on their way out of the party and urged members not to panic, adding that money should not be the deciding factor in a political struggle. He cautioned against relying on wealthy actors who, according to him, were more interested in using their resources to destroy states and undermine internal democracy.
He reaffirmed support for the Acting National Chairman and the BoT leadership, expressing confidence that the NWC would continue to steer the party effectively despite the ongoing turmoil. Wike hailed the national secretary, deputy officers, and other members of the NWC for what he described as their “courage and resilience in the face of anti-democratic forces.”
In a swipe at a former chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Wike criticized him for presiding over a period when the party lost numerous states, legislators, and political influence. He described it as “shameless” for such a leader to still boast about his position despite presiding over widespread defections. “Under your leadership, governors, senators, and assembly members were leaving every day, yet you still had the audacity to parade yourself,” he said.
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Wike stated that the PDP crisis would soon be resolved within 48 hours, in line with assurances from the party leadership, and urged members to remain steadfast and united. According to him, the party must not collapse under internal sabotage, adding that Nigeria’s democracy needed a strong and stable opposition to thrive.
He concluded by thanking members for resisting what he called “anti-democratic elements” and urged them to continue supporting the national leadership until the crisis is fully resolved.
