Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, threatened to cancel the Peoples Democratic Party’s November national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, raising serious concerns that it would be cancelled.
It is thought that Wike’s disagreement with his former ally, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and other unsolved party issues are the reasons behind his resistance to the convention.
However, the PDP has strongly warned the minister for his actions that go against the party’s intentions ahead of the November 16 election convention.
In an interview with a few journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba warned that if he keeps undermining the party’s interests, the party’s constitution will take strong action against him.
Members of the PDP National Executive Committee, such as former National Vice Chairman (South West) Eddy Olafeso and Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor, criticised Wike for going too far and vowed to oppose his actions.
They insisted that no one could hinder internal party operations, especially because the Independent National Electoral Commission was already involved, and emphasised that the party was rebuilding and would fortify its structure through the Ibadan convention.
The PDP has just recently recovered from months of internal strife during which key leaders defected to the APC and the newly established African Democratic Congress, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, and Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate for 2019 and 2023, as well as his running mate and former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
At its 101st NEC meeting on July 24, the party decided to hold a National Elective Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, when 19 new members will be chosen to the National Working Committee, as part of its efforts to reorganise and reposition itself.
Wike promised that his side would oppose the party’s decision, expressing dissatisfaction with the South-South Caretaker Committee established by the PDP NWC and the choice to keep Ali Odefa as National Vice Chairman (South East).
The former Rivers State governor warned that while the party’s crisis may seem resolved for the time being, a new one could arise if the PDP refused to recognise the zonal congress that chose Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman, South-South, in an interview on Channels TV’s “Politics Today” program on Tuesday night.
“Well, it’s over for now,” he said. I have instructed them to complete the few tasks that are left. There is nothing anyone can tell us about our convention, which was conducted in Calabar. Let them have another crisis if that’s what they want. Chief Dan Orbih became the National Vice Chairman of that assembly. Congress was held even though they had never wanted it to.
Following the congress, the party’s alleged interim national chairman informed INEC in a letter that the congress had been postponed. There are no two options. Chief Dan Orbih is the PDP South-South’s National Vice Chairman. He threatened to start another crisis if they didn’t accept.
Wike further contended that the party needed to address Ali Odefa, the chairman of the South-East zonal, who had been fired by the party by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Ali Odefa, the party’s vice chairman for the southeast, is no longer a member. I say these things to people. Impunity is what I dislike. And we won’t tolerate it for someone like me. I’m not going to let it. Unless they fix it, we will fight it.
Wike went on to say that if the PDP’s irregularities were not fixed, the party’s planned national convention might end in disaster.
They stated that their conference is scheduled for November. Until they fix it, I am not involved in it. They still have time to fix it, so let’s wait. Take care of the issue before discussing the convention. There will be a crisis if the issue is not resolved.
He denied rumours that a rival convention was being planned, stating that the party’s NEC had not made an official decision.
“I don’t know of any convention that would take place in Ibadan. As a member of the NEC, no one has notified me, and the NEC has not voted on this decision. “It cannot be NEC if a small group of people get together to make statements,” Wike stated.
He promised that the struggle against unfairness inside the PDP would not stop with his group.
“I am not aware of any convention,” said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. We have the right to contest a meeting if members of the NEC are not notified, and nothing can take away that privilege.
Wike said, “Our group is meeting tomorrow, and obviously, I don’t think we will allow injustice to prevail,” in response to a query on whether he would pursue legal action. We will not tolerate it, I promise. I am the best person to represent the PDP’s interests. Not one of them.
Former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, and other Wike friends were seen meeting on Tuesday, according to our correspondents in Abuja.
As of the time of writing, the Wike group’s meeting had not yet taken place, but according to people close to the minister, it would happen shortly, and their decision would be made public.
Wike’s team was ready to battle to the end, according to a source in the minister’s camp who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to comment on the matter.
“We will meet later today (Wednesday),” he said. I promise that Wike and a few of us will fight to the very end. We will not tolerate the inequity in the South-East and South-South.
“We will take all legal action to resolve this if the side is unwilling to do so. However, people will be taken aback if they do not take action if they wish the convention to succeed.
Wike’s opponent, Ologunagba, responded by claiming that all NEC members had received adequate notice and insisting that the National Elective Convention proceed as planned.
He stated, “Our NEC and other meetings have been convened properly. We adhere to due process. As anticipated, INEC has been properly notified of the NEC meetings concerning those matters. In any case, I have no intention of arguing with anyone over this.
“The PDP constitution is in place, and we abide by it. We are still preparing. The location of the national convention has been set by the NEC, this party’s second-highest decision-making body. The location was chosen by NEC and will take place on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The dates of that national convention are set for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The train heading to the national convention has moved and is reaching its destination, as I spoke before, because all committees and arrangements are currently operating smoothly in order to have a successful national conference in Ibadan.
“In any case, we have records demonstrating that all pertinent parties, including Minister Wike, were mentioned, and proof that he did, in fact, receive a letter from his office that was properly acknowledged and signed for. We are not responsible for any problems that may arise in his office. There was a publication in the national daily in addition to that individual letter. Therefore, there is sufficient notice: it has been authorised by members, the NEC, secretaries, and all organs. We are heading to the national convention in Ibadan without any problems.
The PDP would take “necessary steps,” Ologunagba responded when asked how the party would respond to Wike and his group’s decision to reject the party’s proposal.
“Well, once more, I do know that this party has done everything that is within the law, following the constitution, and we will continue to follow the constitution. If there are actions that are inconsistent with that constitution, the necessary actions will kick in.” The PDP Publicity secretary went on, saying, “We have said that before, and we mean every word we have said as a party.
“Look, attending a party is entirely choice; admission and departure are free. You are free to leave at any time, but it will be unacceptable for you or any other participant to remain in a party with rules and disregard them. Therefore, we are not bringing up any complaints with anyone. We will not be bringing up any complaints with anyone. Because it is the dream of this nation’s democracy, we are concentrating on our procedure to have a smooth national convention, and we will do so.
“We have a laser-like concentration on what needs to be done for the sake of democracy and our party. However, we have reiterated and will reiterate that disloyalty will not be tolerated in our wonderful party. The PDP supports the rule of law and the process. We will insist on that constitutional provision and take the required and proper steps, since there are established avenues for action and redress that are in line with the constitution.
