Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared that long-standing members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not allow individuals who recently defected to the party to undermine its stability or derail its future.
Wike made the remarks on Sunday during the 104th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction of the party, held at his official residence in Abuja.
The minister accused the rival faction, led by former Minister Tanimu Turaki, of flouting existing court orders by organising what he described as an unlawful national convention.
He argued that such actions amounted to a disregard for the rule of law and threatened the foundation on which the PDP was built.
According to him, two judgments of the Federal High Court had already addressed the leadership dispute within the party.
Nevertheless, he said, the faction proceeded to file a fresh suit at a State High Court seeking authorisation to convene its own convention.
“After ignoring established court decisions, they returned to another court to seek validation. If the Independent National Electoral Commission had already recognised their actions, why return to court?” Wike asked.
He stressed that respect for judicial processes was essential if the PDP hoped to rebuild trust among Nigerians.
Wike warned that internal disobedience and personal ambition could jeopardise the party’s future, adding that the PDP must not “die under the weight of indiscipline.
“Leadership is not about propaganda,” he said. “If we cannot abide by our own rules, we cannot earn public respect, ” he said.
Members present at the meeting urged the NEC to set up a Caretaker Committee to steer the party, noting that the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) would expire on Tuesday.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), supported the proposal, explaining that the transitional arrangement is consistent with the PDP constitution.
He said it would safeguard stability, prevent leadership vacuums, and support ongoing reforms aimed at restoring confidence and strengthening internal democracy.
Ohuabunwa also revealed that caretaker structures had already been introduced in states and zones including Anambra and the South-East where congresses could not be held.
He described the move as necessary to maintain organisational order.
At the close of deliberations, the NEC approved a 13-member National Caretaker Committee, headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu serving as Secretary.
The committee is mandated to run the party for 60 days, during which outstanding congresses must be concluded and preparations for a national convention completed.
Additional appointments include Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) as National Legal Adviser and Umar Bature as National Organising Secretary.
Other members of the committee are Dr Kyari Grema, Janguda Mohammed, Okechukwu Osuana, Senator Nwogu Olaka, Senator Sandy Onor, Prof. Adenike Ogunse, Bisi Kolawole, Deji Doherty, and Dr Ibrahim Aboki.
The committee’s formation is intended to stabilise the party’s structures pending the election of substantive officers at the upcoming convention.
