- The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, visited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Headquarters on Friday, pledging his continued loyalty and support to the party leadership.
- Wike asserted that the PDP remains Nigeria’s primary opposition force, dismissing claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and noting that a party cannot lead the opposition without a track record of electoral victories.
- The Minister urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to reach out to members who defected under the impression the party was collapsing, encouraging a “powerful team” to interact with them and bring them back into the fold.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike made a high-profile visit to the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Eko Hot Blog reports that addressing the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Abduraham Mohammed, Wike repositioned the PDP as the only legitimate challenger to the ruling party, despite its current status outside of government.
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The visit followed a Federal High Court judgment that allowed the NWC to resume full activities in the party’s official building.
Wike congratulated the leadership on their “bold initiative” to resume daily operations and pledged both moral and financial backing to the committee as they prepare for the 2027 general elections.
During the dialogue, Wike took aim at rival opposition parties, specifically the ADC, arguing that leadership of the opposition is earned through votes, not rhetoric.
“Those who say they are leading the opposition have never contested in any election,” Wike stated. “The one they contested… they could not get one councillor. So, how can they be the leading opposition party?”
He criticized the inconsistency of rival parties that welcome defectors to their own ranks while condemning those who move elsewhere, labeling such behavior a poor example of leadership.
Acknowledging that the PDP is recovering from a period of deep internal crisis, the Minister emphasized the need for hard work and sacrifice.
He urged the NWC to actively court former members who left out of fear or uncertainty, stating that many are simply waiting for a sign that their interests, including future electoral tickets will be protected.
In response, PDP Chairman Abduraham Mohammed thanked the Minister for his instrumental support, acknowledging that Wike’s contributions have kept the party visible and viable even during the current administration.
National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu echoed these sentiments, describing Wike’s visit as a “gesture of humility” that reinforces the party’s foundation.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from the NWC to “restore sanity” and reposition the PDP as the “hope of teeming supporters” across the 36 states and the FCT, with a clear focus on winning elective positions in 2027.
