By Kelechi Opara
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike has reassured the party faithful that notwithstanding his support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu, he will remain a committed member of the main opposition party.
Wike who gave the assurance on Monday at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the faction of the PDP loyal to him, also urged the NWC to immediately set up a strong reconciliation committee that will bring back members of the party who left at the heat of the crisis that recently rocked the once ruling party.
He further appealed to all party faithful and stakeholders to work for the party to return to its old self when it was the party to beat in the country.
“On my own part, let me assure you, I’ll continue to support the party. I will continue to be loyal to the party. Since 1998 till now, I’ve been a member of the PDP, and I will not leave the party. That is the truth of the matter.
“Just like other speakers have said, now we are together, we must not stop at reconciliation, the more the merrier. So let us not say that they have defected, let them go, No! Chairman and your team, make sure you put up a strong committee that will still go ahead and talk to those who have defected. And whatever is due to them, they will still have it. Most of them may have defected because of uncertainty. If I like, I want to run an election, and I’m not sure who will sign my documents to be presented to INEC. So most people will definitely find where they can get succour. But now, if you go and talk to them, I believe they will rethink and continue to support this party”.
The former governor of Rivers state also praised the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) led by Mohammed Abdulrhaman for taking steps to reclaim the National Secretariat of the party which was earlier sealed by the Police following the crisis that rocked the party.
According to him, that the NEC meeting of his faction was held right inside the party secretariat shows that they are the authentic PDP.
“Let us congratulate you that after inauguration, you took steps to make sure that we reclaim our secretariat, which is where we are sitting today. What shows that you are the authentic PDP is because you are holding your meeting at the National Secretariat. If there is any other PDP, let them come to the national Secretariat and hold their own meeting”.
While thanking all the NEC members, including members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) for their commitment to the affairs of the party, the National Leader also assured them that their lawyers are doing well in the leadership crisis of the party which is pending at the Supreme Court.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National Chairman of the party, Mohammed Abdulrhaman praised the resilience of the party members in keeping hope alive during the peak of the leadership crisis.
Abdulrhaman charged the party faithful that going forward, every member should be focused on how to grow the PDP, so as to return it to its glorious past.
“I thank each of you for your resilience, especially through the challenging period of our leadership uncertainty that tested our unity and institutional strength.
Your disciplined loyalty and belief in the process have not only preserved the soul of our party, but have also repositioned us for a stronger and more purposeful future.
“The era of uncertainty is behind us. The era of strategy, consolidation, and electoral preparation has begun today.
In this regard, we are on the roadmap for our nationwide party primaries”.
Also in his remarks, the Chairman of the BoT of the party, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa while congratulating the stakeholders said he was impressed with the number of people joining the party across the country, a development he said shows that Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the PDP as the only credible alternative.
Ohuabunwa warned against infighting, saying it’s always difficult for a house that is divided against itself to stand.
“We gather today at a defining moment. Our strength has always been our numbers, but our power lies in our unity. A house divided against itself cannot stand, and as we look toward the horizon, we must move as one force. Let us set aside personal grievances for the collective survival and success of our great party”
At the end of the NEC meeting, the communique released also reframed most of the positions earlier canvassed by the party leaders, including the efforts to stabilize the party, affirming the unity stability of the party and need to resolve disputes through dialogue and mutual respect.
Others are strengthening internal democracy and membership registration via the continuous electronic membership e-registration exercise
Furthermore, the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for 2027 General Elections was adopted. Also the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of Party primaries, including the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, in line with the revised schedule for the 2027 General Elections was adopted.
NEC equally stressed the need for strict compliance with the approved timetable to ensure a transparent, credible, and hitch-free nomination process.
“The NEC concluded by reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the unity, stability, and progress of the Peoples Democratic Party. It expressed optimism that with sustained cooperation, discipline, and adherence to democratic values, the PDP will continue to grow stronger and remain well-positioned to reclaim leadership at all levels of governance in the 2027 General Elections”, the communique said.
