The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he and other founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not allow recent defectors to undermine or destroy the party they helped build.
Wike made the remarks on Sunday at the 104th meeting of the party’s factional National Executive Committee (NEC) held in his official residence in Abuja.
He accused a faction within the PDP (Tanimu Turaki-led group) of engaging in actions capable of weakening the party, particularly by disregarding valid court judgements and conducting what he described as an illegal national convention.
Wike said the faction ignored two substantive judgements of the Federal High Court on the matter and proceeded to hold a convention and subsequently approached a state high court to seek recognition.
“You went to a state high court to sue INEC, asking that the convention must take place, and you got an ex-parte order to override judgements of the Federal High Court. How do you disobey two final judgements and still claim leadership?” Wike queried.
He further criticised the group for returning to court after conducting the convention without obeying judicial rulings.
“You had the convention without obeying the court, and now you are back asking a Federal High Court to recognise you. If INEC already recognises you, what exactly are you going to court for?” he asked.
Wike warned that such conduct could jeopardise the future of the PDP, stressing that the party, which had existed since 1998, must not be sacrificed on the altar of personal ambition.
“We must not allow our party to die. Leadership requires commitment and honesty, not propaganda. If we don’t respect our own laws, how do we earn respect from Nigerians?” he asked. [Daily Trust]
