By Abuja, Nigeria
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has reacted to the judgement of the Appeal Court which nullified the party’s National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State in November 2025.
The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel chaired by Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma, with Justice Okechukwu Onyemenam and Justice Muhammed Mustapha as members, dismissed the appeal and imposed a fine of N2 million on the appellants. In its decision, the court upheld the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court which declared the convention invalid.
The panel held that when a political party conducts its congresses or conventions in violation of its constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act, such matters cannot be treated as purely internal affairs of the party.
Reacting to the development, the Minister said the judgement is an opportunity for the PDP to look inward and put their house in order.
“I think that is an opportunity for PDP to look in what is okay. We have fought. Now it’s time to say, okay, enough is enough, let’s come back. Whatever we can do to put our hearts together, then we will.”
Wike reiterated that if the aggrieved members decide to approach the Supreme Court, they are ready to face them in court. According to him, that have done their part.
“But if we continue with a fire, let’s go to Supreme Court at this, it is not good or go away for the party. If you’re in love of this party, you’re not encouraged.”
“We are always also ready, because for me, it is the development of the law. Today, most of us who are always talking about the internal affairs, who don’t divulge what consists of internal affairs of the party and what does not consist of internal affairs of the party,” he added.
The Minister however called on all party faithfuls to let go of their personal interest for that of the party, maintaining that the APC remains the ruling party and the PDP, the main opposition in the country.
“Let us drop our personal interest and make sure that PDP becomes the opposition party. And that is the only way, Nigeria can move. The only opposition to do, I think, is PDP. And the ruling party is APC. No other party are considered to be opposition party.”
