Wike urges PDP NWC to reclaim defectors, strengthen opposition role

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party to intensify efforts to reclaim defected members and strengthen the party’s position as a formidable opposition force.

Wike made this statement during a courtesy visit to the National Working Committee led by Abduraham Mohammed at the PDP headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Friday.

He also reaffirmed that the PDP remains the principal opposition force, stressing that the African Democratic Congress cannot lay such a claim, having not secured electoral victories.

He stated, “After the judgment of the Federal High Court that directed that the police should vacate and give you protection for you to resume activities in the official building of the Peoples Democratic Party, I can see the work that has taken place. That shows that you are ready to kick-start daily activities. Let me also congratulate you on taking that bold initiative.

“My coming here this morning is to reassure you of my support for the members of the National Working Committee. Yes, elections have been held. After elections, you will need the support of every party member, morally and otherwise. And so, I’ve come here to pledge my support and my loyalty to all of you.”

Wike acknowledged that it will not be easy for the PDP, but expressed confidence in the leadership’s ability to restore the party to its former glory.

He continued, “Yes, we had a crisis, and we have almost come out of the crisis. It is not going to be easy. It requires a lot of hard work. It requires a lot of sacrifice for you to move the party forward. I know that you have old hands there; you have the National Secretary, the Legal Adviser, and the Zonal Vice Chairmen, and particularly the oldest one is the South-South. So, you have old hands that will guide you and give you all the necessary support. Continue to bring out programmes that will continue to make the party popular.

“Yes, today we are not in government, but this is the main opposition party as far as this country is concerned. You cannot become a main opposition party without winning elections. So those who say that they are leading the opposition have never contested in any election. The one they contested is the Abuja Municipal Area Council; they could not get one councillor. So, how can they be the leading opposition party? They are claiming that people are defecting to their party, and that’s how they become the leading opposition. Yet again, they criticise people who are defecting to other parties—that is wrong—but those defecting to their own party—that is right. That tells you the kind of leadership they want to give to Nigerians.”

“I also want to urge you to do what you can to bring back our members who have defected, thinking that the party would no longer come back. Make sure you attract them back into the fold, talk to them, and send a powerful team to interact with them. Most of them are afraid if they will get a ticket or not. You know what to do. I am sure that Nigerians will prefer this party to all of those who are shouting.”

In his remarks, PDP Chairman Mohammed welcomed the Minister to the party’s National Headquarters, describing the visit as significant to the party’s progress.

He assured that the new leadership is committed to strengthening the PDP, supporting its aspirants, and repositioning the party for success ahead of the 2027 general elections across the country.

He stated, “We thank you for making everything possible for the PDP to have a platform today. On behalf of the National Working Committee, I want to assure you that we have capable men and women in the composition of the Working Committee, and we will do everything possible to lead the party to a higher level.

“We are not going to disappoint Nigerians. This is the hope of our teeming supporters across the 36 states and the FCT. The PDP has come to stay, and under my leadership, we will make ourselves available to our teeming aspirants and those who will emerge as candidates, to ensure that we win elective positions in the 2027 general election.

“Your Excellency, you have done enough for this, our great party, and each and every one who is fair to the party must attest to that. On behalf of the members of the National Working Committee, we will keep giving you all the necessary support so that our party will succeed.”

PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for his support to the party, describing his contributions as instrumental to the PDP’s performance and visibility under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Anyanwu thanked Wike for his moral and financial backing during the party’s convention, noting his visit as a gesture of humility and praying for his safe journey.