The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged a rival faction within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to demonstrate its claim to leadership by opening an official party bank account and establishing a functional secretariat.
Wike threw the challenge on Wednesday during a live media chat with journalists in Abuja, accusing some party leaders of misleading Nigerians and disregarding court rulings amid the party’s lingering internal crisis.
“You cannot continue to deceive Nigerians. If they are sure they are the authentic leadership of the PDP, let them open an official PDP account and tell party members to pay nomination fees into it,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor specifically called out Taminu Turaki and others in the opposing camp, urging them to back their claims with concrete action.
“Let Turaki, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, open an account for the PDP. Let them announce it publicly for members who want to contest elections. That day, you will see what will happen,” Wike added.
He argued that no financial institution would recognise such an account, insisting that the faction lacks the legal backing and required party documentation to operate legitimately.
“That bank will be in trouble because to open such an account, you must provide the party’s authentic documents and recognised leadership. Who has those documents?” he queried.
Wike also issued a stern warning against any attempt to establish what he described as illegal party offices in the nation’s capital, stressing that he would act decisively to maintain order.
“If anybody goes ahead to open an illegal office in the name of the PDP in Abuja, I will seal it. I will not allow any breach of peace because my duty is to maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
The minister maintained that court judgments had already settled the leadership dispute, accusing some actors of distorting legal rulings for political convenience.
“People should stop deceiving Nigerians. The judgments are clear. You cannot ignore court decisions and begin to create parallel structures,” he stated.
He further dismissed claims that a Supreme Court ruling favoured the rival faction, insisting that existing legal decisions support the recognised leadership of the party.
According to Wike, attempts to reinterpret the rulings outside their proper context are aimed at confusing party members and the general public.
Reaffirming his loyalty, Wike said he remains a committed member of the PDP and is focused on defending what he described as constitutional order within the party.
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