Inside PDP’s New Civil War: Wike And Makinde Forces Fight For Dominance

Speaking during a media chat, Wike challenged the camp led by Kabiru Turaki to prove its legitimacy by opening an official PDP secretariat and bank account in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor warned that any office established illegally in the Federal Capital Territory would be sealed off, insisting that the rival faction lacked the legal authority to manage the affairs of the party.

According to Wike, democracy cannot thrive when court rulings are ignored, accusing the opposing bloc of attempting to deceive Nigerians despite existing judicial decisions.

He questioned the faction’s claim to authenticity, daring them to publicly open a PDP account for nomination fees and other party activities.

Wike further argued that no financial institution would recognise such an account without official party documents and the approval of the recognised leadership.

The FCT minister also condemned plans by the faction to establish a caretaker structure, describing the move as illegal and contrary to court rulings. He dismissed the arrangement as fraudulent and insisted that the judiciary had already clarified who should oversee the party.

In addition, Wike criticised the Board of Trustees led by Adolphus Wabara for attempting to set up an interim committee, calling it part of the same illegality.

He also took a swipe at Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of failing to honour agreements reached during a peace meeting facilitated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

On development issues in Abuja, Wike defended his administration’s crackdown on undeveloped lands around Jabi Lake, saying the action aligned with the Abuja master plan and warning that lands left undeveloped for years would be reclaimed by the government.

Meanwhile, the PDP interim leadership aligned with Makinde dismissed Wike’s remarks, insisting that its planned primaries and national convention would proceed without interference.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the group described Wike’s comments as reckless and politically motivated.

The faction accused the minister of resorting to insults and intimidation after suffering political setbacks, while also apologising to Nigerians for what it called the elevation of a public figure whose conduct had become embarrassing.

It maintained that no individual could impose himself as leader of the PDP, noting that the party’s constitution does not recognise the position of “national leader.”

The faction also confirmed that the sale of nomination forms had already commenced and vowed that the process would continue despite Wike’s threats.

Responding to concerns over party accounts, the group insisted that the PDP continued to operate normally and dismissed claims that banks would refuse to work with them.

On the legal dispute, the Makinde-backed camp said it was awaiting certified court judgments and maintained that no amount of intimidation would stop what it described as the truth from prevailing.