Wike Vows to Protect PDP from ‘Vampires,’ Says He Is Closely Monitoring Oyo Politics

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his commitment to the survival and success of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning against internal forces he described as “vampires” seeking to hijack the party’s structure. Speaking at the 105th meeting of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja on Monday, Wike said his interest cuts across all states, with particular attention on developments within the Oyo State chapter of the party.

The former Rivers State governor stressed that his engagement in party affairs is driven by a desire to reposition the PDP as a strong and credible opposition, capable of overcoming its current internal challenges and returning to electoral competitiveness nationwide.

Monitoring Oyo PDP and the Struggle for Party Stability

Wike told NEC members that he is closely following political activities in Oyo State, clarifying that his concern is not rooted in personal ambition but in the overall health of the party. According to him, what happens in one state chapter often reflects broader issues within the PDP, making vigilance necessary.

He emphasised that his focus extends beyond Oyo State to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, noting that the party must remain united to withstand ongoing internal and external pressures. Wike argued that the PDP’s future depends on collective commitment rather than sectional interests.

Addressing fears of intimidation within the party, the FCT minister dismissed claims that members were being cowed into submission. He said recent court rulings had weakened such threats, insisting that the party’s legal battles had largely clarified leadership questions at the national level.

Internal Disputes, Legal Battles, and the Caretaker Committee

During his address, Wike spoke extensively on the PDP’s internal disputes and ongoing legal matters, stating that the party now has no option but to rally around the Caretaker Committee. He said court decisions had effectively collapsed attempts to undermine the committee’s authority.

According to him, the party is awaiting clear directives from the Caretaker Committee, particularly regarding the conduct of delayed congresses across states. He described these congresses as crucial steps toward organising a credible national convention that would restore stability to the PDP.

Wike warned against individuals and groups attempting to hijack the party’s structure, describing them as “vampires” operating across states. He stressed that such moves must be resisted if the PDP is to survive and regain public confidence.

Grassroots Mobilisation and Rebuilding the PDP

The FCT minister urged party members to abandon what he called a culture of entitlement and refocus on grassroots mobilisation. He cautioned against treating the PDP as a charity organisation, advising members to return to wards, polling units, and local communities to rebuild the party from the ground up.

Rejecting the notion that political relevance depends solely on having incumbent governors, Wike recalled his own political journey within the PDP. He said the party had produced governors in the past despite similar challenges, arguing that experience, organisation, and unity remain key strengths.

While acknowledging peace appeals from the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Working Committee (NWC), Wike urged members to remain vigilant, warning that efforts to destabilise the party were ongoing. He expressed confidence that such attempts would fail, encouraging unity and resilience among party faithful.

National Convention Plans and Legal Recognition

Wike also highlighted the PDP’s internal capacity, pointing to the competence of its legal and organisational officers in navigating the current situation. He said collective experience within the party would ultimately determine its recovery and future success.

At the NEC meeting, the party bloc fixed March 28 and 29, 2026, for its national convention in Abuja, where a new National Working Committee and other statutory organs are expected to be elected. The decision followed a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan, which nullified the PDP National Convention held in November 2025 that produced Taminu Turaki as National Chairman.

The court affirmed that the Caretaker Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu remains the only recognised national leadership, pending a valid convention. Wike concluded by thanking NEC members for attending the meeting at short notice and urged them to remain committed to rebuilding the PDP as a strong opposition party.