PDP NEC may decide on Wike, others today

Barring last-minute changes, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will today hold its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where the fate of some top members accused of anti-party activities, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom, may be decided. It was gathered that the Tom Ikimi-led disciplinary committee has already […]

Barring last-minute changes, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will today hold its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where the fate of some top members accused of anti-party activities, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom, may be decided.

It was gathered that the Tom Ikimi-led disciplinary committee has already submitted its report to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), recommending sanctions against several members indicted in petitions for working against the PDP in the last general elections.

Also high on the agenda is the party’s forthcoming national convention and the report of its zoning committee. The 101st NEC in August fixed the convention for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, to elect new national officers.

Although most PDP stakeholders support the Ibadan convention, Wike has opposed it, claiming he and his camp were not consulted. The former Rivers governor has also insisted that peace will remain elusive until the party recognises the South-South congress conducted by his loyalists, which produced Dan Orbih as zonal chairman, but was rejected by the NWC.

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Daily Trust learnt that acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; the Board of Trustees Chairman, Adolphus Wabara; and governors elected on the party’s platform, who met in Zamfara at the weekend, are weighing options against Wike and other erring members.

Speaking with one of our correspondents, the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed that preparations for the NEC were complete. He dismissed fears of disruption, assuring that the meeting would be “peaceful, devoid of rancour and outrage.”

“It is going to be a very successful outing. NEC members have already been arriving. The venue is guaranteed, and the NWC is in session. The outcome will be communicated later in the day after the meeting,” he said.

Abdullahi said the meeting would review progress since the last NEC, with a focus on the work of the Convention Planning Committee inaugurated two weeks ago.

“We will amplify the position of the last NEC, which is essentially to do with the Convention Planning Committee, and also review where PDP is at the moment. What lessons have we learnt from the last meeting? What is the way forward for the party? Top on the agenda remains the convention,” he said.

He added that Wike’s case and other disciplinary matters would also be discussed.

On zoning, Abdullahi recalled that the party had agreed to rotate the presidential ticket to the South, while the national chairmanship would remain in the North, though micro-zoning between the North-Central and North-West is yet to be concluded.

He also confirmed that southern leaders met recently in Lagos to harmonise their positions, but clarified that their proposals were still subject to ratification.

 

Buttressing the party’s position on Wike, a member of the National Working Committee (NWC), who asked not to be named, told Daily Trust that the issue surrounding the FCT Minister, along with others indicted by the Tom Ikimi-led disciplinary committee, would be on the table at today’s meeting.

“It will be discussed, but whether it would get to the level of sanctioning him, I am not going to guarantee that. But certainly, he will form part of the conversation, and we will listen to NEC. The outcome of whatever is discussed during the meeting is going to inform the next line of action. So, it’s safe to say the NEC meeting will decide the fate of Wike, Ortom and others that the committee received petitions about,” the NWC member said.

On fears that Wike and his allies could attempt to frustrate the convention, the source dismissed such concerns, insisting that no individual or group could block the process.

“What powers does Wike have? He will go to court? He should go. The truth of the matter is that no reasonable court, not even the Supreme Court itself, can overturn its own judgment. It has been said that all these are internal affairs of the party, and that’s what we are doing.

“If the apex court gave that judgment mischievously, this is the time for them to now know that they have shot themselves in the foot. It is an internal affair of the party, and to that effect, the party will be the one to decide what it wants to do tomorrow (Monday). And the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party next to the convention. So, we are going to have our way,” the source added.

Another NWC member, who was once regarded as an ally of Wike but asked not to be named, said many former supporters of the ex-Rivers State governor had since withdrawn from his camp.

“We are waking up to the reality that there is a political party that brought us together in the first place. And the political party seems not to be favourably disposed to one of the persons that we believe should be supporting this party, identifying with the party, and promoting its ideals. And that is the fellow you just mentioned (Wike).

“Our point of departure is to the effect that he continues to undermine the values of this party, and he is not even pretending about it. He now comes all out to cast aspersion on the party, to deride the party, to condemn its executive, to threaten the party. If we don’t take a decision now, we would have confirmed the allegation all along that we have been bought off and are in the pocket of this individual, which you media people have amplified over the years,” the source said.

He stressed that members of the NWC had a duty to draw the line and reaffirm their commitment to the party’s survival.

“There is a need for us to look at the mandate that we have from PDP faithful across the country, to come clean and live up to expectations with regard to our oaths of office, that we will protect the party, stand by its ideals, and enhance its fortune.

“When one of us, no matter how close he was to us, begins to undermine the party, then it behoves us to draw the line and call it what it is. So, this is exactly the reason for the changes,” he added.

 

Why PDP is yet to suspend Wike – Tsauri

Former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri also weighed in, saying Wike cannot stop the convention because “one member of NEC cannot be more than NEC itself.”

He explained that the party has delayed Wike’s suspension or expulsion because no political party likes to lose members. “Before the campaigns proper, PDP will act or Wike will leave on his own,” he said.

Tsauri stressed that the convention must hold as planned. “The convention is going to hold. One single person, no matter how highly placed, is not NEC, is not NWC, is not even a governor. If one NEC member says he is not aware, does that concern NEC?”

Tracing the crisis, he said it began with the tussle over the office of the national secretary. According to him, Wike backed Samuel Anyanwu to remain, which led to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refusing to recognise signatures from anyone else.

“Morally, Anyanwu was supposed to have relinquished that position for Sunday Ude-Okoye, who was nominated by the South East zone. But INEC refused to accept any signature except that of Anyanwu, who is for Wike. To avoid a repeat of the crises in Zamfara and Plateau, the party decided to let sleeping dogs lie,” he said.

Tsauri noted that Anyanwu still signed letters for the last NEC and the coming convention. “If Wike holds a parallel convention, which I doubt, INEC will not recognise it. INEC cannot monitor two conventions at the same time,” he said.

On why Wike has not yet been sanctioned, Tsauri explained: “No political party would like to lose a member. We prefer to bring people in, not expel them. But if it becomes necessary, then we have to do that. When we reach the river, we will cross it.”

Also speaking on the activities of the FCT Minister, a chieftain of the PDP and one-time National Chairmanship aspirant, Engr. Conrad Terhide Utaan, told Daily Trust that the party must move from “barking to biting” if it wants members to take its authority seriously.

He stressed that once the NEC has taken a valid decision, no member, including Wike, should have the capacity to undermine it.

“It’s high time the party moved from barking to biting. If the decision to hold the convention was the decision of a validly constituted NEC, then it is irrelevant whether Wike attended or not. The Ibadan convention must hold. And if any member frustrates a valid decision of the party, then sanctions as stipulated in our constitution must apply,” Utaan said.

 

PDP youths declare support for convention, zoning

Youth leaders of the party from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have declared their support for the party leadership and the elective National Convention slated for Ibadan on November 15 and 16.

In a communiqué issued after a weekend meeting at the party’s national headquarters, the youth leaders said they had assessed the state of the nation, the condition of the PDP, and the party’s readiness for the 2027 elections, affirming full support for both the zoning arrangement and the convention.

Reading the communiqué to journalists, Hon. Jamilu Ali Kalshingi, Chairman of the Forum and Youth Leader from Gombe, said “Our collective sentiments and support for the November 15th and 16th elective National Convention of the party. We call on members and other stakeholders to support the party leadership.

“We commend and appreciate the role played by the reconciliation committee led by Senator Bukola Saraki and Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo, which we believe has impacted positively on the current stability the party is witnessing.”

The youths further urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to remain patient as the PDP “diligently works to rescue the nation from the grip of regional and ethnic politics perpetuated by the ruling party.”

They stressed that “The Peoples Democratic Party is genuinely committed to creating a future where all Nigerians can thrive, free from divisive politics.

The youths’ position aligned with the resolution of PDP governors, who at the weekend reaffirmed their commitment to the November convention.

The governors, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to Wike and his allies, described those opposing the convention as “anti-party forces” and urged members to resist them.

 

State chairmen outline expectations

In the same vein, some PDP state chairmen have declared support for the meeting, stressing that it would help stabilise the party.

Chief Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo PDP caretaker committee, said he expected the meeting to go smoothly and produce a consensus on key issues.

“As we move towards the convention, every member of the party is aware that we need consensus and unity to have a formidable and successful convention,” he said.

“Everybody will be very excited to be at the meeting tomorrow so that we can come out stronger and united as a build-up to the November 15 convention. Nigerians should pray that the PDP gets it right because the prosperity and well-being of Nigeria is tied to the PDP.”

He expressed confidence that the party would resolve its differences at the meeting and emerge stronger to take over power in 2027.

Also speaking, the Kano State Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya, said the agenda was straightforward, with discussions expected to centre on the zoning committee’s report and preparations for the party’s forthcoming congress in November.

Kibiya stressed that no additional issues were on the table apart from zoning and congress matters. He recalled that during the last NEC meeting, several decisions were reached, including the inauguration of the zoning and congress committees to work out modalities for the November convention.

“The zoning committee was given its assignment by NEC, and tomorrow it will present its report for consideration and approval,” he added.

The Chairman of the PDP in Kwara State, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed, said crucial issues surrounding the national convention slated for November 15, 2025, would be resolved.

He explained that it was agreed at the party’s last meeting that Ibadan should be picked tentatively as the venue, despite diverse interests within the party.

“So, the issues of venue and zoning are two major matters that will be thrashed out tomorrow, alongside whether the presidential ticket will be thrown open or not,” he stated.

On the question of sanctions, Mohammed said: “I don’t believe there is going to be any sanction. In politics, it’s the more the merrier, and this is not the time for the party to sanction anybody. Removing or disciplining anybody at this stage will not help the party. We should rather plead with everybody to work together for success in 2027.”

He added that the caucus meeting preceding the NEC would provide a platform for such issues to be tabled and addressed.

Lagos PDP Chairman, Hon. Philips Aivoji, also said the NEC meeting scheduled for Monday was expected to strengthen the party.

He noted that the meeting was not unusual, stressing that it would only ratify the reports of various committees set up ahead of the November convention.

“We want to confirm all the committee reports. I have not seen the committee reports,” he told Daily Trust.

He insisted that the PDP remained strong despite some defections.

“Some look at the surface, but whatever happens in ADC or any other party, if we get the parties together, it will be sorted out and the people who went to ADC will come back.

“Some of them left because of the problems we are still having — that is the crux of the matter. If the party is united and peaceful, most of them have nothing to do with ADC. They will naturally come back.”

 

Orbih, Bayelsa faction raise objections

Responding to the refusal of the NWC to recognise the South-South Zonal Congress that re-elected him, Dan Orbih told Daily Trust that he would not attend the NEC meeting because he was out of the country on a scheduled engagement.

Orbih, an ally of Wike, said his election followed due process and accused those opposing his recognition of seeking the downfall of the party.

“I cannot say whether others will attend; it depends on their convenience and availability. Different people are invited based on their position in the party. It’s not a free-for-all meeting,” he said.

On the issue of recognition, Orbih stressed that “Except those who are mischievous, everybody knows the constitution and the process that produced that congress. Only one congress has been held in the South-South zone, and that was the one that re-elected me.

“Those digging the grave of the party want to subvert laid-down rules and constitutional provisions. They are killing the party. I wish them luck.”

Similarly, the caretaker Chairman of PDP in Bayelsa State, Barr. George Turnah, who is also a loyalist of the FCT Minister, dismissed today’s NEC meeting as illegal, warning that if the party continued to flout its own rules, it risked disaster ahead of the 2027 polls.

Turnah, who is also South-South Zonal Secretary of the party, argued that the last valid NEC was the 98th, convened by recognised National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.

He said that “There cannot be a 102nd NEC where there was no valid 99th. Notice is a condition precedent in convening a valid NEC, and only the National Secretary can issue it.

“We are not attending because it is an illegal meeting. If the party proceeds this way and holds the convention in Ibadan, we will be sitting on a keg of gunpowder, and that is bad for the party.”

However, the factional chairman loyal to Governor Douye Diri, Mr. Solomon Akwanana, could not be reached for comment.

 

Analysts express pessimism on PDP’s future

Prof. Hassan, National President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), said that while democrats would hope the PDP emerges stronger, the build-up to the NEC suggests otherwise.

“We have had a faction threatening brimstone and even instituting a legal case against the meeting. The sanction route may not be best now, as those sanctioned could fight back, creating more problems with just about a year to elections,” he said.

Hassan warned that sanctions might deepen the crisis further, adding that diplomacy and consultation would serve the party better.

Similarly, Prof. Gbade Ojo, another political scientist, said the NEC meeting was crucial for the party’s survival but doubted it would achieve its purpose.

“If there are people neck-deep in anti-party activities, in addition to indiscipline the party seems unable to address, then the PDP has no future,” he said.

On Wike’s role, Ojo argued that “A character like Wike should not be the determining factor in the future of the party. PDP should not operate according to the whims of one person. If Wike can influence the position of the chairman and secretary without consequence, then governors financing the party must take decisive steps.

“You cannot be in APC and PDP at the same time. Wike has made himself an agent of destabilisation. If the party misses this opportunity, more people may defect.”

He insisted the party must uphold discipline. “It is better to take the right decision about Wike now. At worst, he can approach the courts as an individual. But if the PDP fails to act firmly, it will remain stuck at a pedestrian level. Party supremacy must be sacrosanct—no individual, no matter how powerful, should dictate terms.”

 

Additional reports by: Abdulalteef Aliyu (Lagos), Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilorin), Usman A. Bello (Benin), Salim Umar Ibrahim (Kano) & Bassey Willie (Yenagoa)