The Federal Capital Territory Minister and prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Nyesom Wike, has announced that the internal turbulence within the party has subsided, unveiling an open-door policy for former members wishing to return.
ENigeria Newspaper gathered this during Wike’s media parley with journalists in Abuja on Friday. The minister likened politics to a game of football rather than a “fight to finish,” urging aggrieved members to put aside personal differences for the greater good of the party.
Reflecting on the fallout from the PDP’s recent national convention, the former Rivers State governor stressed that the time for infighting had passed, emphasizing reconciliation and rebuilding as the party’s primary focus.
“As far as I’m concerned, the convention has come and gone. People are trooping in. I will say, the door is open. Yes, we have had crisis. Now the crisis is over. Do we still have to shut our doors? No. Certainly not,” Wike stated.
The minister revealed that several ex-members have already indicated their intention to return, highlighting a political climate increasingly conducive to collaboration and hard work.
“Politics is not a fight to finish. It’s like a game, like a football. If you see it as a do or die, it becomes difficult to reconcile. For us, it’s not that way. We have had our differences, but if you’re really sincere, there’s nothing left. We can do it together and move the party forward,” he explained.
Addressing aspiring candidates, Wike stressed that political relevance comes through visibility, dedication, and consistent effort, not merely holding a title. He cautioned that those who stay on the sidelines would struggle to be recognised as serious contenders in future elections.
“There’s no doubt that we have a lot of work to do, but what is important is that we have put the convention behind us,” he added.
Recall that the PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since 2023, with rival factions holding separate stance until the presidential elections, leading to the party’s loss in to incumbent president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Internal conflicts and power struggles started to surface over time, and they were made worse by changes in leadership, regional rivalries, and party nomination contests. By the start of 2026, all elected governors on the platforms, except Gov. Bala Muhammad of Bauchi State, deserted the party for the All Progressive Congress (APC). Interestingly, the Bauchi State governor is currently contemplating joining the African Democratic Party (ADC) or the All Progressive Congress (APC).
In the midst of this, the Nyesom Wike-led faction called its own national assembly, portraying it as a step toward restructuring and reconciliation with the goals of consolidating power, welcoming back former members, and presenting the PDP as a recognisable party before the 2027 elections.
The factional chairman of the party, Tanimu Turaki, opposed to Nyesom Wike’s allies condemned the recent gathering, calling it a “pre-Easter jamboree” held in contempt of the Court of Appeal. They stated that the event, labelled a PDP convention by Wike’s group, is already under litigation and affirmed that they have taken the matter to the Supreme Court, expressing hope that the apex court will soon resolve the leadership dispute.
