*Minister Vows To Protect PDP From ‘Vampires,’ Monitor Oyo Politics
*Wike Is Our National Leader, Says South-South Secretary
THE Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, at the end of its 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday, February 2, officially scheduled its national convention for March 28 and 29, in Abuja.
The meeting, chaired by Mohammed and attended by its National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, discussed the state of the party, preparations for upcoming congresses and recent court decisions affecting the party.
The NEC reiterated the legitimacy and authority of the Mohammed-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC), saying it remains the only lawful national administrative organ of the PDP and will continue to act as the National Working Committee (NWC) until the election of a new leadership.
The committee also approved the timetable for congresses across the country, including Ward and Local Government Congresses in February 2026, and State Congresses in March.
It directed the NCC to issue detailed guidelines and notices for the congresses, ensure compliance with the party’s Constitution, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regulations and judicial directives.
It welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Ibadan and restated its support for the independence of the judiciary, urging all party organs and members to act strictly in accordance with court rulings.
Ahead of the national convention, the NEC instructed the immediate activation of sub-committees and commencement of all arrangements, while extending the tenure of state and zonal caretaker committees, pending the conduct of congresses and convention.
It urged all members to remain united, disciplined and committed to the party, noting that collective party interests should take precedence over personal considerations, just as it expressed confidence that the resolutions of the meeting would strengthen internal democracy, restore stability and reposition the opposition party for future electoral success.
Meanwhile, following the nullification of the national convention held in Ibadan November and 16, last year, the faction’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and NCC have intensified moves to overcome its internal crisis by reaffirming commitment to unity, respect for court rulings and preparations for outstanding congresses ahead of the convention.
BOT Chairman, Mao Ohuabunwa, a senator, speaking at the NEC meeting, urged party members to embrace peace and put collective interest above personal ambition, saying PDP had weathered months of turbulence marked by leadership disputes and legal battles, but survived due to its strong institutions and adherence to constitutional order.
He said the delay in conducting party congresses was a deliberate and cautious decision taken out of respect for pending judicial processes, not an abdication of responsibility, adding: “The PDP chose legality over expediency and patience over provocation. History would judge the party kindly for upholding the rule of law.”
While lauding the recent court verdict affirming the legitimacy of the Mohammed-led NCC, Ohuabunwa charged party members to respect the judiciary and comply with lawful decisions, warning against divisive rhetoric and actions capable of undermining democratic institutions.
Stressing that the moral authority of the BoT lies in fairness, balance and due process, he said: “With the legal fog lifting, the focus must now shift to reconciliation, rebuilding trust and laying the groundwork for orderly congresses and a credible national convention.”
Mohammed commended BoT members for their steadfast support, which he said was crucial to the stability of the party at a defining moment.
He also expressed gratitude to Wike for standing by the NCC, saying his support had strengthened the committee’s resolve to reposition the party, and stakeholders across the country for their unwavering support during what he described as party’s defining times.
Mohammed described PDP as the only political party built around the people, with nationwide structures, coherence and verifiable legacies, warning that it could not afford to “sleep in our hands.”
Meanwhile, Wike said he was closely following developments within the Oyo State chapter of the party, saying his interest is driven by a desire to see it survive and succeed.
In his speech at the NEC meeting, the minister told party leaders that his focus was not limited to one state, but the overall stability and progress of the PDP across the country, noting: “Let me declare my interest clearly: I am interested in the survival and success of this party. I am also interested in all the happenings in Oyo State PDP. That is all I am interested in.”
He dismissed claims that party members were being intimidated, saying recent court cases had weakened such argument: “Who will intimidate us to the end? Some of us, by the grace of God, do not see what anyone can threaten us with.
“The legal battle has collapsed. They have no option but to recognise the caretaker committee.”
The former Rivers State governor warned against attempts by “vampires” to hijack the party’s structure across the 36 states and the FCT, counselling that such efforts must be resisted.
Wike said the party was awaiting clear guidance from the NCC, particularly on the conduct of delayed congresses, which he said are essential for organising a credible national convention.
He charged members to abandon a culture of entitlement and return to grassroots mobilisation, warning against treating the party as a charity, noting: “Go to the Wards, polling units and the grassroots. Forget the idea that this is a charity organisation. Many people move from place to place without any political identity.”
He dismissed the notion that a political party’s strength depends solely on having incumbent governors, saying: “Some people believe that if you do not have a sitting governor, then you are nothing. Who told them that?
“I was not a governor when I became governor. We were told we were not governors, but we became governors.”
The minister insisted that despite its current challenges, PDP remains a strong political force capable of recovery, adding: “The PDP is too strong, very strong. We must capitalise on what we have and move forward.”
Acknowledging peace moves by the BoT and NCC, Wike stated: “Yes, the BoT has appealed for peace. Yes, the NWC has appealed for peace, that is their responsibility. But those of us following the process must be extremely careful. We must be vigilant.”
On his opponents, he said: “They will not give up until they believe you are destroyed. But I will not be destroyed. You will not be destroyed. Let us move forward.
“We have a competent Legal Adviser. We have a competent National Organising Secretary. Experience matters. When we combine our collective experience, the results will speak for themselves.”
In a related development, Secretary of the South-South zone of the party, George Turnah, has described Wike as the party’s national leader.
Turnah, while speaking on a television programme on Monday, said: “Wike does not lead a group; he is a national leader of the PDP, and as a member of the party, he has his own fundamental rights.
“One of those rights is his right of choice, and that is why it’s a democracy, and that is why political parties must operate internally on the foundations of democratic principles.
“Recall that Wike has never at any point come out to make declarations, either on behalf of PDP or even on behalf of the G5 Governors that he was very pronounced to be their leader. The group never said it was going to support Mr. A or Mr. B. Wike has consistently said he would support Mr. President.
“Let me even take you to 2023, where Wike led the G5 Governors. Even within the G5 Governors, the then governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, did not go with Wike in support of President Bola Tinubu; he chose to support Peter Obi. That is within the G5 Governors.
“So, this thing about Wike saying he will support Tinubu, and therefore all of us who associate with him, and even himself, must now be cast out of the PDP. That is not the principle of internal democracy.
“The principle is that you will allow Wike to have his say that he’s going to support the President and allow majority of the party to have their way.”
