Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has officially withdrawn from ongoing reconciliation efforts within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing a breach of trust and accusing Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State as the primary architect of the party’s internal crisis.
In a detailed statement issued on Sunday, Wike lamented what he described as dishonesty and lack of fidelity to agreements among key PDP stakeholders.
He blamed Makinde for allegedly orchestrating moves that undermine the party’s unity, particularly in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.
“Since after the 2023 General Election, the PDP has been wantonly swinging from one part of a slippery precipice to another, owing fundamentally to dishonesty and lack of trust amongst its key stakeholders,” Wike said. “I made it clear to Governor Seyi Makinde that he was the architect of our problems.”
Wike disclosed that during a recent G5 meeting in Lagos, he confronted Makinde about repeated violations of earlier agreements. Despite reaching a truce, he said Makinde went on to act contrary to the decisions, including by allegedly colluding with Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to push for Ude Okoye’s appointment as PDP National Secretary, a move Wike vehemently opposed.
Wike also expressed frustration that a committee formed under the leadership of former Senate President Bukola Saraki had yet to commence its work before the gentleman’s agreement reached at Saraki’s guest house was breached.
Among the issues he highlighted were: Attempts to sideline Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the court-recognized National Secretary, the aborted North-Central zonal congress in Jos due to an invalid INEC invitation letter, Undue interference from the PDP National Secretariat, allegedly instigated by Makinde and Mbah.
“These actions are in complete violation of the agreements reached and would not do the party any good whatsoever,” Wike said. “It is undeniably distasteful, provocative and annoying, to say the least.”
He added that despite his long-standing commitment and sacrifices to the PDP since 1998, the continued betrayal and political maneuvering by some governors left him with no option but to pull out of the reconciliation process.
“I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached. I have decided to fight on until justice is attained,” he concluded.
Wike’s withdrawal from the reconciliation process marks a significant blow to ongoing efforts to unify the PDP ahead of key upcoming elections, including the Anambra gubernatorial race.
