Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has warned that he and other founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not allow new entrants from other parties to undermine or destroy the party, insisting that disregard for court orders could tear the party apart.

Wike spoke on Sunday at the PDP’s 104th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at his official residence in Abuja, where he criticised a faction of the party for conducting what he described as an “illegal convention” in defiance of court rulings.

He accused the group of flouting two judgments of the Federal High Court and then approaching a State High Court to obtain an ex-parte order to override the federal decisions.

“You went to a State High Court to sue INEC, asking that the convention must take place, and you got an ex-parte order to override judgments of the Federal High Court. How do you disobey two final judgments and still claim leadership?” Wike asked.

He further queried their decision to return to court after going ahead with the convention without obeying the earlier rulings.

“You had the convention without obeying the court, and now you are back asking a Federal High Court to recognize you. If INEC already recognizes you, what exactly are you going to court for?” he added.

Wike warned that pursuing personal ambitions at the expense of the rule of law could destroy the PDP, which he recalled has existed since 1998.

“We must not allow our party to die. Leadership requires commitment and honesty, not propaganda. If we don’t respect our own laws, how do we earn respect from Nigerians?” he said.

He called on party members to respect lawful leadership and rebuild the PDP on the principles of internal democracy and obedience to court judgments.

Meanwhile, the PDP National Executive Committee was urged to establish a Caretaker Committee to lead the party following the expiration of the current National Working Committee’s tenure.

Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, made the appeal while addressing the NEC, saying the move is in line with the party’s constitution and aimed at ensuring stability, unity, and administrative continuity.

He also revealed that caretaker structures are already being put in place in some states and zones, including Anambra and the South-East, where congresses could not be held, to avoid leadership vacuums and strengthen internal party organisation.