By ThankGod Inalegwu
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has firmly rejected calls by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to establish a new caretaker committee, insisting that the party should proceed with its scheduled national convention.
Wike made his position known during the 106th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP held in Abuja, which followed the 86th meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT). The meeting was convened by the faction led by the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Abdulrahman Mohammed.
Addressing party leaders and stakeholders, the FCT minister said that while his group remains open to reconciliation within the party, any negotiations would be approached from a position of strength, particularly in light of recent court rulings.
He stressed that the PDP’s national convention, already scheduled and in advanced stages of preparation, must hold as planned, rejecting proposals to create another caretaker committee as a compromise to aggrieved members.
“The party is making serious efforts for the convention to hold. They have paid the required fees and secured the venue. Therefore, no one should bring forward any suggestion about forming another caretaker committee. I will not accept that. The convention must go ahead, and everyone will be allowed to participate,” Wike said.
The former Rivers State governor also dismissed claims that his appointment in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had weakened his loyalty to the PDP.
“It was made to look as though I caused the problem because I am serving in an APC administration, but those who accused me are now in the APC, while I, who was accused, have not left the PDP,” he added.
Earlier, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, described the period as a critical moment for the opposition party and urged members to approach the situation with wisdom, restraint and unity.
“This gathering comes at a defining moment in the life of the PDP, one that requires not emotion or haste but wisdom, institutional memory and calm reflection,” Ohuabunwa said.
He emphasized that the BoT, regarded as the ideological anchor of the party, has a responsibility to guide the PDP and ensure that the long-term interests of both the party and Nigerians remain paramount.
According to him, the party has already made significant progress in its internal reorganisation following the successful conduct of ward and local government congresses across the country.
“These exercises show that the PDP remains firmly rooted in participatory democracy and reflects the will of its grassroots members,” he noted.
Ohuabunwa also expressed optimism that the forthcoming state congresses would further strengthen the party’s structures nationwide ahead of the national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30.
He added that the convention would provide an opportunity for the PDP to reposition itself and reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles and national service.
The BoT chairman further acknowledged a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal which affirmed the legality and authority of the party’s caretaker leadership, describing the judgment as one that has brought clarity and stability to the PDP.
In his remarks, caretaker committee chairman Mohammed called on party stakeholders to embrace reconciliation and put an end to the prolonged legal disputes that have slowed the party’s activities.
Observers say the upcoming national convention is expected to be a major test of the PDP’s ability to resolve internal divisions and rebuild its political strength ahead of future elections