From Victor Osula, Abuja
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has threatened to disrupt the party’s National Convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The group, after a late-night meeting at Wike’s Asokoro residence on Monday, issued a communiqué signed by former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, warning that failure to meet their demands would “render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.”
Listing six conditions, the faction insisted that fresh congresses be conducted in Ebonyi and Anambra states in compliance with existing court judgments, while a new South East Zonal Congress should be urgently held.
They also demanded recognition of the outcome of the South South Congress in Calabar as upheld by the courts, the immediate conduct of Ekiti LGA congresses in line with judicial pronouncements, and the retention of the national chairmanship in the North Central in accordance with the 2021 zoning arrangement.
The group further rejected any attempt to introduce micro-zoning beyond the general formula adopted by the National Executive Committee.
They cautioned that sidelining members or disregarding court rulings would only worsen the party’s internal crisis.
“Unity cannot be built on disenfranchisement, exclusion, or the neglect of valid judicial pronouncements. The PDP was built on the foundation of inclusivity, fairness, and justice.
“To reclaim its pride of place as the leading opposition, the party must now rise above narrow interests and embrace collective responsibility,” the statement read.
The faction pledged loyalty to the PDP but stressed that only fairness and transparency would guarantee a credible convention.
Those at the meeting included Ortom; former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose; PDP National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu; and Wike himself.
