PDP crisis deepens as Wike alleges fraud, dares Turaki led faction to open secretariat

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Wednesday as Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, accused factions of fraud and openly challenged them to demonstrate legitimacy by establishing a physical national secretariat.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja, Wike launched a blistering critique of a faction linked to Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde and former minister Taminu Turaki, accusing them of disregarding court rulings and attempting to mislead party members through what he described as an illegal interim leadership structure.

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Wike dismissed claims of a caretaker arrangement within the party, insisting that only a court-recognised leadership has the authority to manage PDP affairs pending a valid national convention.

“You cannot disobey court judgments and then turn around to deceive Nigerians that you have a legitimate structure. That is not how democracy works,” he said.

The minister argued that the judiciary had already clarified the leadership question and warned that any parallel structure amounted to illegality. He challenged the opposing faction to operationalise its claims.

“Let them open an office anywhere and call it PDP secretariat. That is how you test what is real and what is not. You don’t create leadership in your bedroom,” Wike stated.

His comments come amid lingering disputes over party leadership following conflicting court decisions and appeals.

Wike maintained that a Federal High Court judgment had recognised a caretaker committee as the lawful authority to oversee party affairs until a convention is conducted.

He criticised attempts to establish what he called an “illegal caretaker arrangement,” describing such moves as fraudulent and politically destabilising.

“The court has made it clear who should run the affairs of the party. You cannot ignore that and begin to set up another structure. That is fraud,” he added.

Wike also took aim at senior party figures and legal practitioners, accusing them of undermining institutional integrity for personal interests.

“People you expect to uphold the law are the ones trying to bend it. That is the tragedy of our system,” he said.

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On broader governance issues, the minister reiterated his administration’s stance on enforcing development regulations in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly against land speculation and misuse.

He disclosed that several land allocations had been revoked due to non-development over extended periods, stressing that the government would prioritise investors capable of delivering projects within stipulated timelines.

“We cannot allow people to hold land for 15 to 20 years without development. That is not how a modern city should function,” Wike said.

The PDP crisis has persisted despite recent rulings by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, with multiple factions laying claim to legitimacy and deepening uncertainty ahead of future party activities.