A group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), known as the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders, has threatened to work against the party if its latest demands are not met ahead of the national convention slated for November.
The group, led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warned that failure to implement its resolutions would render the convention invalid, alleging that legitimate members would be disenfranchised.
The stakeholders met in Abuja on Monday and issued a communique at the end of their closed-door meeting, attended by the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and other key figures, including former governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Kingsley Chinda, and suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule.
The group insisted that the PDP must conduct fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states in line with court rulings, organise a new and legitimate South-East zonal congress, recognise the South-South congress held in Calabar which produced Chief Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman, and immediately conduct the Ekiti State local government congresses in compliance with judicial orders.
Speaking after the meeting, Wike declared he would not abandon the PDP, stressing that he had invested too much in the party to allow “buccaneers and vampires” to take over. He, however, maintained that the outcome of the South-South congress must be upheld, warning that failure to do so could trigger “another round of crisis.”
Sources within the party revealed that Wike is pushing to secure assurances that his loyalists retain influence in the PDP structure, particularly in the South-South, while also pressing for the removal of some National Working Committee members he believes acted against his interests during the 2023 presidential primaries.
