By Atoyebi Nike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of deliberately sidelining him in key party decisions, warning that such exclusionary politics could hasten the collapse of the opposition party.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike expressed frustration over what he described as a deliberate attempt by the PDP governors to shut him out of major consultations despite his years of service and contributions to the party’s growth.
“Have I not said it before now that the booby trap you are setting will consume you? The way these present governors are doing, they will bury this party,” Wike said.
The minister questioned why his exclusion was justified simply because he no longer holds a governorship position. “I am the FCT Minister. Are you telling me that because I am not a governor, you will hold a PDP stakeholders’ meeting and exclude me, and then expect the party to survive?” he asked.
Wike further noted that even if he were not a minister, his record and influence within the PDP warranted inclusion in critical party decisions. “By the role I have played in the PDP till now, is it right to say I cannot be consulted in taking decisions of the party? Certainly not,” he added.
He dismissed claims that the PDP’s internal crises were being fuelled by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the party’s troubles were entirely self-inflicted. “All these talks about APC are rubbish. Is it the APC that makes you take wrong decisions? You mean two or three people, because they are governors and receive large allocations, will go and decide, and you tell me to follow? Follow who?” he queried.
On the party’s upcoming national convention, Wike alleged that the PDP leadership had failed to conduct necessary congresses and complete other pre-convention processes, which he said were delaying the event. “If they do the right thing, will anybody stall the convention? They have not done the congresses and other things that should be in place,” he said.
The PDP has faced deepening internal rifts and a wave of defections in recent months, involving prominent figures such as Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno. The party is also entangled in multiple legal battles ahead of its planned convention.
