The South South Zonal Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Ogidi, has disclosed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) will meet next week to review the conduct of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and take a decisive stand.
Speaking during a television interview on Wednesday, Ogidi voiced the party’s growing frustration over Wike’s recent actions, stating that the PDP had shown enough restraint and was now ready to act.
In an earlier interview on Monday, Wike issued conditions for peace within the PDP, demanding the party recognize the South South zonal congress conducted by his faction a congress previously rejected by the party’s leadership. He also called for the nullification of the South East zonal congress that produced Ali Odefa and others as party leaders.
Wike insisted:
“Well, it is over for now, but there are still some things they must do. One is our South South zonal congress, which we must uphold. There are no two ways about it.
During our South South zonal congress, the acting national chairman claimed PDP governors didn’t support the congress. Where are the governors today?
Our congress was held in Calabar, and there is nothing anybody can tell us. If they want another round of crisis, so be it. That congress must stand. Chief Dan Orbih emerged as national vice chairman.”
In response, Ogidi affirmed the party’s readiness to take action:
“PDP is a big family, but I can tell you the NWC will take action on Wike next week because you cannot serve two masters. I don’t know why the APC is tolerating him; his utterances are damaging even to them.”
He added that Wike’s actions were stirring fresh tensions ahead of the party’s upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and convention, despite efforts by the PDP to maintain internal stability.
“We have been restraining ourselves. There is no crisis just two events left: the NEC meeting this month and the convention. Even if he tries to stir another crisis, he’s on his own. I understand his frustration,” Ogidi said.
While acknowledging Wike’s past contributions to the party, Ogidi noted that the minister’s recent actions appear to align more with an APC agenda.
“He is pushing the APC’s agenda, but we’ve tolerated him because of his past record. He was once very good he did a lot for the party. But others have also contributed. He has gone too far now. I’ve tried to manage myself and not get emotional, but sometimes you have to say it as it is,” he concluded.
