The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to set aside their differences and focus on reconciliation rather than pursuing further legal battles.
Naija News reports that Wike made the appeal while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday following the Court of Appeal judgment concerning the PDP’s controversial Ibadan convention.
According to the former Rivers State governor, the ruling represents a victory for the rule of law and highlights the importance of adhering to the Electoral Act, statutory provisions, and the PDP constitution.
Wike noted that the court’s decision, which dismissed several appeals with significant cost implications, should serve as a wake-up call for party members involved in the dispute.
He warned that taking the matter to the Supreme Court could further damage the party and urged those involved to put aside personal interests for the sake of the PDP’s future.
He said, “For me, it is an opportunity for everybody today to come back and see how we can salvage the party.
“Leave your ego. Leave your personal interest. Come back. Let’s sit down. Now we are here, can we see how we can forge ahead?
“By the time you go to the Supreme Court, you are merely causing harm to your party which you say you love… it is time now to say we have fought, let us drop our personal interest and make sure that PDP becomes the Number 1 opposition party.”
Wike further stated that the Court of Appeal ruling effectively invalidated the Ibadan convention, stressing that the tenure of the party’s previous officers had already expired.
He explained that the National Caretaker Committee currently overseeing the party’s affairs remains the legitimate body managing the PDP to prevent a leadership vacuum.
“It is very clear that there was no convention (in Ibadan) and the tenure of the officers then had expired and you cannot allow a vacuum. The court of appeal said today, it is clear, that convention does not stand. So, the caretaker committee is what it is now,” he said.
The FCT minister also disclosed that preparations are underway for a fresh National Convention scheduled to hold in Abuja on March 29 and 30.
According to him, the PDP had to secure an alternative venue after a scheduling conflict with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which will be using the Eagle Square around the same period.
He added, “The national caretaker committee has gotten approval to use the Velodrome for their National Convention from 29 to 30th March.
“Remember we would have used the Eagle Square but because APC will be having their National Convention 28th & 29th, it will be difficult for PDP to keep the place ready. So they had to choose an alternative venue which is the Velodrome near the National Stadium.”