The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described the court ruling stopping the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) planned 2025 National Convention as a victory against impunity within the party.
Wike spoke shortly after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, October 31, ordered the PDP to suspend plans for its convention until it complies with its constitution, the Electoral Act, and other statutory requirements.
Delivering judgment in a case filed by three aggrieved party members, the judge also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or accepting any outcome of the convention unless it follows due process and legal guidelines.
Reacting to the verdict, Wike said he was torn between joy and sadness, glad that impunity had been defeated but saddened by the deep division within the party.
“We are happy that we have fought impunity while on another part we are not happy with what is going on in the party,” Wike said while addressing PDP stakeholders from 12 states and the FCT.
“It’s unfortunate that the so-called purported national convention cannot hold. It has never been bad like this in the Peoples Democratic Party,” he added.
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Among those present were former governors Samuel Ortom of Benue and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, as well as federal and state lawmakers, including the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule.
Wike criticised certain party leaders for arrogance and for failing to acknowledge the sacrifices of loyal members. He warned that such attitudes would only deepen internal discord.
“Opposition party is supposed to put heads together and follow due process but if you are not doing that then you are sending a wrong message,” he stated.
He urged PDP governors to focus on improving citizens’ lives instead of fuelling the party’s crisis.
“The last time we met we said we are going to challenge any action that contravenes provision of the party, and today by the grace of God, the court has allowed justice to prevail.
“Nobody will be intimidated. We will do what is right. What I expect the governors to do now is to use monies in the state to impact lives of citizens and not to use it to kill our party,” Wike said.