By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not allow defectors and opportunists to destabilize or “kill” the party.
Wike spoke on Sunday during the 104th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at his Abuja residence, where he condemned a faction of the party for allegedly disobeying court judgments and conducting what he described as an “illegal convention.”
He faulted the group for ignoring two substantive rulings of the Federal High Court, insisting that no political party could rebuild public trust while undermining the judiciary.
According to the minister, the faction went to a State High Court and secured an ex-parte order to force a convention despite existing Federal High Court judgments on the matter.
“You obtained an order to override two final judgments and still claim leadership. How is that possible?” Wike queried during the meeting.
He added that the same group later returned to court to seek recognition after holding the controversial convention without complying with the lawful directives already issued.
“If INEC has already recognized you, what then are you looking for in court? What is the purpose of your application?” he asked.
Wike warned that such disregard for due process threatens the survival of the party, stressing that PDP leaders must act with honesty, discipline and respect for the rule of law.
“We cannot allow our party to die. If we don’t obey our own laws, how do we expect Nigerians to take us seriously?” he stated.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, has urged the NEC to constitute a Caretaker Committee as the tenure of the current National Working Committee (NWC) ends on Monday.
He said the move complies with the party’s constitution and would ensure continuity and stability as the PDP works to strengthen its structures in states where congresses were not held, including Anambra and parts of the South-East.