The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused governors elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform of sidelining him in major consultations, warning that the party could “bury itself” if it continues to exclude key stakeholders.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike said he has been repeatedly left out of strategy meetings and decision-making despite his long association with the PDP and his current position in the federal cabinet. He argued that party unity cannot be built on a narrow circle of decision-makers.
According to Wike, the problem is not external interference but internal choices. He dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is behind the PDP’s troubles, insisting the opposition party is responsible for its own missteps. “You cannot blame APC for wrong calls made inside PDP,” he said, adding that concentrating power in “two or three hands” because they control large state resources is a recipe for division.
Wike questioned why he should be excluded from stakeholder meetings because he is no longer a governor. He maintained that the role he has played over the years, and his current office as FCT Minister, should count for something in a party that claims to value broad consultation. Even if he were not a minister, he said, basic respect for contributions made should guarantee at least a seat at the table.
He also took aim at preparations for the party’s planned national convention, alleging that leadership has not finished prerequisite processes such as congresses at various levels. Until those steps are completed, he argued, there will be delays and disputes that could derail the convention altogether. “Do the groundwork properly and there will be nothing to stall,” he said.
The PDP has grappled with internal rifts, legal battles, and high-level defections for months. Several prominent figures have been linked to tensions in their state chapters, and multiple suits continue to trail arrangements for the convention. Wike’s remarks add a fresh layer to a long-running feud over who sets the party’s direction and how inclusive that process should be.
Analysts say the immediate test for the PDP will be whether its governors and national leadership expand consultations beyond sitting officeholders, complete congresses transparently, and present a clear, rules-based pathway to the convention. Failure to do so, they warn, risks deepening mistrust and fueling further exits at a time the party is trying to project stability.