Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike has accused the former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari of attempting to destabilise the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through the involvement of ex-Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, while praising party leaders of that era for maintaining unity.
Speaking at a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike said that the PDP previously faced external threats from the ruling government, but survived due to strong internal cohesion and resistance.
He also contrasted this with the current state of the party, which he described as being plagued by self-inflicted divisions.
“When a party takes a wrong step, it achieves nothing. Sidelining people in decision-making leads to embarrassing factions.
”We can’t discuss a national convention when processes aren’t followed, ” he said.
He further recalled the Buhari administration’s alleged strategy to weaken the PDP, highlighting Sheriff’s role in the scheme.
“Under Buhari, the government tried to scatter PDP. In fact, Modu Sheriff was being used to scatter PDP then. We stood firm and made sure the party was strong,” he said.
Wike expressed disappointment with the current party leadership, accusing them of excluding members from decision-making, fostering impunity, arrogance, and internal crises.
“Now, there is not even any attempt by any government to destroy the PDP. You are the one on your own destroying your party,” he said.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor and key PDP powerbroker, warned that the party’s leadership has failed to learn from past experiences.
“We were governors before, and it never happened this way. Today, you can see there’s no leadership, no responsibility, no commitment,” he added.
Wike’s remarks come amid growing tensions within the PDP over internal elections, decision-making processes, and the upcoming national convention, raising questions about the party’s ability to maintain cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.
