“PDP will never die” – Wike insists on genuine reconciliation

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that his camp holds firm control of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and will only engage in reconciliation from a position of dominance, following a major court victory that has reshuffled the party’s internal power dynamics.

Speaking on the heels of Monday’s Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the November 2025 National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State — alongside a Federal High Court judgment that affirmed the current National Caretaker Working Committee — Wike made clear that while reconciliation remained on the table, it would be on his camp’s terms.

“We are for reconciliation, but genuine reconciliation,” he said. “PDP will never die. What is happening is a natural process that we must pass through as humans.”

Taking direct aim at Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, Wike demanded transparency from those seeking peace.

“Come with your terms of reconciliation so that we will know. Concrete proposal — not like the last time you came to me and before I knew it, you were in Ibadan for the convention,” he warned, drawing a sharp line between open dialogue and what he described as backchannel scheming.

Wike also pushed back against critics who labelled him a mole for serving under an APC-led administration.

“All the ones who accused me are today in APC, and me that they accused has not left the PDP,” he stated pointedly.

On the question of a new caretaker committee — floated as a potential olive branch to aggrieved members — Wike was categorical in his rejection.

“Let nobody bring another suggestion that we should form another caretaker committee.

“I won’t accept that. Convention must hold and we will allow everybody to participate,” he asserted, noting that venue payments and logistics were already locked in.

Responding to threats of a Supreme Court appeal from the rival faction, Wike remained unflinching.

“Even in table tennis, one must lose. There is no tie in this game. We have the upper hand,” he said.

Senator Moro, for his part, acknowledged Wike’s pivotal role in the party while appealing for a middle ground.

He disclosed that he had earlier met with the Tanimu Turaki-led faction in a bid to find common ground, and urged all members to place the party’s survival above personal interests. “Whether I contest election in 2027 or not, the survival of PDP is paramount to me,” he said.

House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda hailed Monday’s court ruling as a turning point — not just for the PDP, but for Nigerian democracy broadly.

He predicted a wave of defections back to the party in the House of Representatives, adding that any peace process must be rooted in justice.

“Whoever seeks peace must also seek justice. That is the only thing that can give us sustained peace,” he said.

Forum of State Chairmen chairman and Imo State PDP boss, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, reported that grassroots leadership was aligned with the current direction, while also calling on the party to modernise its membership registration system ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.

The meeting brought together several heavyweight party figures, including former governors Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ikpeazu, Caretaker Committee Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu, and Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.