Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a direct challenge to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Tanimu Turaki, urging them to open an official party bank account and establish a legitimate secretariat if they truly believe they represent the authentic leadership of the party. Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike accused the rival group of misleading Nigerians and flouting court rulings in the ongoing leadership crisis that has gripped the PDP. He emphasized that without legal recognition, the faction cannot lawfully manage party affairs or claim authority over party structures.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, stressed that the faction’s claims lack legal foundation and urged Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to prove their legitimacy by opening a bank account in the name of the PDP. “If they are sure they are the authentic leadership of the PDP, let them open an official PDP account and tell party members to pay nomination fees into it,” he stated. He argued that no bank would accept such an account without the proper documentation and recognition from the legally constituted party leadership. “Who has those documents?” he asked, highlighting the lack of legal standing of the rival group.
The FCT Minister also warned against the establishment of unauthorized party offices in Abuja, vowing to shut down any illegal structures that threaten public order. “If anybody goes ahead to open an illegal office in the name of the PDP in Abuja, I will seal it,” he declared. He reiterated his responsibility to maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory and said he would not tolerate actions that could lead to chaos or confusion.
Wike further dismissed claims that the Supreme Court’s rulings favored the Turaki-led faction, insisting that existing legal decisions support the current recognized leadership. He criticized efforts to reinterpret court judgments for political gain, saying such actions mislead party members and the public. “People should stop deceiving Nigerians. The judgments are clear. You cannot ignore court decisions and begin to create parallel structures,” he added.
The PDP has been mired in internal conflict over the party’s convention, caretaker committee appointments, and the recognition of national officers ahead of the 2027 general elections. Wike reaffirmed his commitment to the party, stating he is defending constitutional order and due process within the PDP. As the leadership dispute continues, the challenge to open an official account and establish a recognized secretariat may serve as a critical test of the faction’s legitimacy. The outcome could influence how the party moves forward in the lead-up to the next general elections.
Leave a Comment