PDP can’t continue to act with impunity – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot continue to act with impunity, saying that no opposition party in this world survives acting on impunity.

Wike stated that the stability currently enjoyed in the country was due to the activities of the G5 Governors under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.

The Minister made these known on Monday during a meeting with PDP eminent and concerned stakeholders at his official residence in Abuja.

Wike also said the party would not be in its current state if their advice had been heeded from the outset.

He said: “You may like us, you may hate us. The truth of the matter is, if the G5 had not taken the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis.

“It doesn’t matter who is a beneficiary or not. The point is that the right thing must be done for the stability of the country, and we took that decision, and we continue to stand by the decision. If the party had listened to what we said, we wouldn’t be where we are today. And we have continued to sound it to the party, let the Constitution of the party, let the Constitution of Nigeria be respected, and all other laws. Now, as an opposition party, we cannot continue to act with impunity. No opposition party in this world survives acting on impunity. If we want to show Nigeria that we believe in the unity of this country, the way the founding fathers of this country have done it, let us go that way. Of course, their selfish interests would not allow it. And we said, this will not work; let us not allow greed. Let us not allow ego to kill our party,” Wike said.

The Minister also addressed the contention over the seat of the National Secretary of the party, noting that the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, contested the governorship of the state while still holding the position of state Chairman of the party.

“All politicians are selfish. It’s correct. We capitalise on opportunities. The Governor of Taraba State was the Chairman of the party. He never resigned. Kefas, wherever you are, hear me today. It was when he won as governor that he appointed his successor. Is that not correct?”, Wike said.

Meanwhile, former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, highlighted the fact that no one has contributed to the party like Wike had, adding that the PDP had made a lot of mistakes.

Ortom also called on the party to “seek the face of God” for a return to leadership, while urging stakeholders to respect the rule of law and follow due process, as well as the Nigerian Constitution and the Constitution of the PDP.