By Sarah NEGEDU
As the Peoples Democratic Party prepares for its March 29th and 30th national convention, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned party members yet to commit to the process, warning that anyone still sitting on the fence will not be welcomed back after the exercise is concluded.
Wike, who dropped the warning at the 107th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting in Abuja, said the party would no longer accommodate leaders who remain undecided or hope the convention might be shifted.
He told the gathering that the PDP must move forward with its plans without waiting for those attempting to “play both sides,” insisting the convention cannot be stopped.
In his words, “If anybody believes that there’s any other hope, no. I want to tell you. So whether you are just hanging on the line, I don’t know whether tomorrow something will change. After this NEC meeting, anybody that don’t show commitment to the convention, after convention, don’t come back and tell us that ‘oh, I’m fully back.’ No, I will not accept that,” he said.
He warned those who show up only during primaries or election seasons, stressing that the PDP must prioritise sincerity and long-term commitment.
“I don’t want those who want to use us for the purposes of having tickets and then after that, you dump the party. Let it be in sincerity, that it doesn’t matter whether I have ticket or not, I believe I’m a member of PDP and I work for PDP.”
Wike maintained that peace efforts within the party do not override the need to hold the convention as scheduled.
“Let nobody say why are they doing convention when there’s a peace talk. Peace talk does not stop. But you cannot tell me not to do convention. Nobody will stop our convention. Nobody will set aside our convention.”
He said the party had complied with all required processes and would not repeat past mistakes that exposed it to litigation saying, “Let nobody be deceived. If anybody’s telling you that anything will happen again, it’s a lie. Nothing will happen. We have taken all steps, all due process. We cannot fall victim of what has happened to other people.”
Wike also urged aspirants not to depend on sitting governors or political patrons for electoral success.
“Remove fear from your body. The moment you have fear, you have already failed. It depends on your connection with the people. Money is not everything in this world, money has limitation.”
The minister therefore called for genuine reconciliation through formal party structures, warning against media-driven narratives of unity.
“Every day they are reconciling. Where are they reconciling? Who has invited whom? You read on pages of newspapers they are meeting today. Where? Which hall?”
On legislative positions, he urged the party to protect its six senators and 42 House members ahead of 2027.
“Let it also be that we don’t have one, let’s have senators who are running the election. Let’s have House of Rep members who are running the election.”
Meanwhile, the National Caretaker Working Committee Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, reaffirmed that the party remains focused on unity and due process ahead of the convention.
While declaring that there is “no victor and no vanquished” in the party’s ongoing reconciliation efforts aimed at stabilising the fold ahead of future elections, Mohammed noted that the PDP had made “significant progress in stabilising its structures and restoring confidence” following recent legal and political challenges, attributing the gains to collective resolve and adherence to due process.
“The recent judicial pronouncements, approached with a spirit of reconciliation and inclusiveness, have further reinforced our commitment to unity. There is no victor and no vanquished only a shared commitment to rebuild, reposition, and strengthen our party,” he stated.
Mohammed had earlier described the upcoming convention as “a critical milestone that will shape the future direction of our party,” while noting that recent congresses across the country were largely peaceful and reflective of internal cohesion.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, also called for wisdom, restraint, and openness as the party finalises zoning arrangements and electronic membership reforms.
