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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria, Nyesom Wike, has said his interest is in developments within the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Wike made the statement on Monday while speaking at the PDP’s 105th National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.
He said his focus was not limited to Oyo State but extended to the opposition party’s overall stability and progress.
“Let me declare my interest clearly: I am interested in the survival and success of this party. I am also interested in all the happenings in Oyo State PDP. That is all I am interested in,” Wike told party leaders.
The former Rivers State governor spoke extensively on the party’s internal disputes, ongoing legal battles, and the need to reposition the PDP prior to future elections.
He dismissed claims that party members were being intimidated, saying recent court rulings had weakened such threats.
Wike also claimed that stakeholders had no choice but to acknowledge the Caretaker Committee currently in charge of party affairs since the party’s legal challenges had failed.
“Who will intimidate us to the end? Some of us, by the grace of God, do not see what anyone can threaten us with. The legal battle has collapsed,” Wike stated.
“They have no option but to recognise the Caretaker Committee.”
He also warned against attempts by “vampires” to hijack the party’s structures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, urging members to resist such moves.
Wike said the party was awaiting clear directives from the caretaker committee, particularly on the conduct of overdue congresses.
“They have no choice. We are waiting for the Caretaker Committee to give direction on the next steps, especially to ensure that congresses already due are conducted, after which we move to the National Convention,” he said.
He urged party members to reject an entitlement culture and return to grassroots organising.
“Go to the wards. Go to the polling units. Go to the grassroots. Forget the idea that this is a charity organisation. Many people move from place to place without any political identity,” he cautioned.
The minister also noted that political strength does not depend solely on having sitting governors.
“Some people believe that if you do not have a sitting governor, then you are nothing. Who told them that? I was not a governor when I became governor. We were told we were not governors, but we became governors.”
