PDP waiting for PEPC, in deeper quandary over Wike’s pandering to APC
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike remains a fish bone in the throat of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP (PDP), which it cannot easily swallow or spew out, despite the brazen romance of the former Rivers Governor with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike literally ganged up in February against the presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar, a grandee of the party, who brought it upon himself by railroading himself and other Northerners into positions the PDP constitution zones to the South in the current election cycle.
Wike facilitated Bola Tinubu winning Rivers in the election on his way to the presidency, even though that result is being disputed in court.
In return, Tinubu has rewarded the former PDP G5 mastermind with a ministerial job.
The APC has also named Wike as a leading figure in its National Campaign Council to oversee 2023 governorship campaigns in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa.
PDP officials are in a quandary and most have kept sealed lips on how to deal with what some describe as a the most brazen case of anti-party activity ever embarked upon by a PDP chieftain.
However, one PDP man disclosed anonymously plans to deal with the Wike dilemma after the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) delivers its judgment.
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PDP waiting for PEPC judgment before dealing with Wike
The PUNCH reports PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba did not answer calls to his phone or respond to a text message seeking his comment.
But another PDP official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the party is yet to deliberate and take a decision on Wike, said the party will “definitely act at the appropriate time. We don’t want to make our party all about Wike and his unending tantrums.
“We are all aware about his love for attention so we’ve decided to ignore him in the hope he will avail himself of the opportunity of our efforts to reconcile aggrieved members.
“While we are open to reconciling, I don’t see the party turning a blind eye to his numerous infractions when the Presidential Election Petition Court [PEPC] gives its judgement on our pending case before it.
“This is the same man who went to court to get an injunction restraining the party from suspending, expelling or taking action against him for his open infringement of our party’s constitution.
“It is now clear for everyone to see that his insistence on remaining on our party register as a member is simply to do the bidding of the ruling party.
“This cannot continue, something has to give and I’m sure as soon as the election tribunal concludes its assignment our party will take a definite stand.”