Wike says no one will use us to negotiate, insists PDP must return to due process

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that no member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be allowed to use him or his loyalists as bargaining tools amid the ongoing crisis in the opposition party.

Wike spoke on Friday in Abuja while addressing Concerned PDP Stakeholders at his Lifecamp residence before a closed-door meeting following the court order that halted the party’s planned national convention.

Those at the meeting included PDP National Secretary Sam Anyanwu, former governors Samuel Ortom and Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Philip Aduda, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and several other party leaders from the South East, South South, and North Central regions.

Wike warned that those trying to hijack the party’s leadership through impunity would be resisted, stressing that the current struggle was aimed at restoring discipline and respect for due process within the PDP.

“Nobody will use us to negotiate for anything,” he said. “We are part of this party, we have sacrificed for it, but we won’t allow anyone to trade us for personal gain.”

He described the moment as one of “mixed feelings,” saying that while justice had prevailed with the court’s intervention, it was painful to see the party being weakened from within.

The minister also criticized some PDP leaders for arrogance and neglecting those who had kept the party afloat during difficult times. He said leadership should be rooted in humility and collective responsibility, not selfishness.

According to him, “There can be no credible opposition that operates with impunity. If you want to challenge the ruling party, you must first show that you can obey your own rules.”

Wike commended PDP members who went to court to challenge the planned convention, saying they showed courage despite intimidation. He accused some leaders of violating the party’s constitution by manipulating zoning arrangements and diverting funds meant for congresses.

He urged PDP governors to use state resources for development and to strengthen the party rather than “destroy it with reckless spending.”

“The funds available to states today are more than ever before. That money should be used to build infrastructure and reduce unemployment — not to weaken our party,” he said.

Wike added that his camp remained open to genuine reconciliation but would not succumb to blackmail or intimidation.

“We are open to peace, but we will not be blackmailed. We will continue to stand for truth and fairness until justice prevails in the PDP,” he concluded.

A communiqué from the meeting is expected later.