PDP BoT urges Wike to remain focused, says party is proud of him

The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to remain focused and steadfast, saying the party appreciates his contributions.

The BoT made the call on Tuesday when a delegation visited Wike at his Abuja residence to condole with him over the death of the party’s National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Dan Orbih.

Orbih, who was also a member of the PDP BoT, died recently, prompting the delegation led by BoT Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, to pay a condolence visit to the FCT minister.

The delegation included Senator Zainab Kure, former Minister of Sports Damishi Sango, BoT Secretary Isah Dansidi and other members drawn from different geopolitical zones.

Speaking after the meeting, Ohuabunwa said the delegation had come to sympathise with Wike over Orbih’s death and encourage him amid developments within the party.

He described the late Orbih as a committed PDP member, a party leader and a close associate of Wike.

Ohuabunwa said the BoT was also proud of Wike’s performance as FCT minister, adding that the party had supported his decision to accept the ministerial appointment.

“Everything he has been saying about the party is nothing but the truth,” Ohuabunwa said, urging the minister to remain focused.

Wike, in his response, thanked the BoT members for the visit and reiterated his commitment to remaining in the PDP and working with other members to rebuild the party.

The minister described Orbih’s death as an irreparable loss and recalled the role the late politician played in his emergence as Rivers State governor in 2015.

“God used Dan Orbih to make me a governor. He was the Chairman of PDP in Edo State at that time and there was a crisis in Rivers State PDP. He chose to stand by the truth and that’s how I became governor,” Wike said.

He thanked the delegation for identifying with him, saying Orbih’s death was also a loss to the party.

On the 2027 presidential election, Wike reiterated his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

He said his decision was based on his previous support for Tinubu in the 2023 election, but maintained that the PDP should continue to participate in governorship and legislative elections.

“After supporting President Tinubu in 2023, it will be wrong of me to support another person to face him when he is seeking re-election,” Wike said.

He added that his position on the presidential election should not stop the PDP from contesting elections at the sub-national level.