Pressure Mounts on PDP Chairman to Take Action Against Nyesom Wike

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iliya Damagum, is facing increasing pressure from senior party members to take disciplinary action against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for allegedly subverting the party.

Wike, despite emphasizing his commitment to remain in the PDP, openly supported President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last presidential election. He also accepted a ministerial position in Tinubu’s government, a move that contradicted the party’s position.

Recently, 27 members of the Rivers State Legislative Assembly, loyal to Wike, defected from the PDP to the APC, further raising concerns within the party.

Some PDP leaders, including members of its management committee, are expressing dissatisfaction with the delay in taking action against Wike. The pressure intensified after Tinubu’s meeting with Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, to resolve the political crisis between them, despite Wike being a member of the APC and Fubara a member of the PDP.

Critics within the party view the situation as a display of weakness in PDP’s leadership. However, Damagum is reportedly urging for patience, believing that Wike will eventually relent and align with the party’s interests.

The deputy spokesperson of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdulahi, confirmed the internal discontent within the party, stating that while the management committee is taking appropriate action, some members are advocating for more time to assess Wike’s intentions and determine if they are harmful to the party.