By Clement John Abuja
The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that the party’s primaries and national convention will proceed as planned, dismissing efforts by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to halt or disrupt the process.
The internal dispute, which reflects deepening divisions over control of the opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections, pits the interim leadership led by Senator Kabiru Turaki (SAN) against rival blocs within the PDP.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction said the sale of nomination forms was already underway and insisted that neither legal nor political pressure would derail the scheduled primaries and national convention.
The statement strongly criticised Wike’s recent public remarks, describing them as inappropriate and politically motivated, while also urging him to apologise to Nigerians.
“Nigerians today witnessed what can only be described as an unsolicited display of political rascality, moral emptiness, crass opportunism, and post-defeat trauma,” the statement said.
It added that the party would ordinarily have ignored his comments but chose to respond in order to correct public perception.
“This statement is not a reply to his tirade, which we consider his political swan song, but an apology to Nigerians for having, at any point, enabled a public figure whose conduct has become a national embarrassment,” it added.
The PDP faction also urged individuals allegedly defamed by Wike’s comments to seek legal redress, insisting that no one is above the law.
On internal party leadership claims, the group dismissed suggestions that Wike held or could assume any “national leader” position within the party, stating that such an office does not exist in the PDP constitution.
The statement further reaffirmed that preparations for the primaries and convention were ongoing and would not be disrupted by internal disagreements or external pressure.
“We note his frustration over the commencement of the sale of nomination forms and the progression towards party primaries and a national convention. The process is underway and will not be derailed,” it said.
On legal issues raised by the FCT Minister, the faction said it was awaiting certified court documents and challenged him to clarify his interpretation of recent judgments.
“Nigerians can be assured that no amount of threats will suppress the truth,” the statement added.
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