Dare Babalola
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has reacted to the court judgment on the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) convention, expressing mixed feelings about the ruling.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on Friday restrained the PDP from holding its 2025 National Convention until the party meets the necessary statutory requirements.
The court also barred INEC from accepting the outcome of any PDP national convention that doesn’t follow due process, pending compliance with the law and party regulations.
Reacting to this development late Friday, Wike, while addressing some PDP concerned stakeholders in his official residence in Life Camp said he was filled with different reactions.
He expressed mixed emotions over the ruling, calling it a joyful moment that is also tinged with sadness due to the party’s current predicament.
He stated that leadership is very important, and when certain people become arrogant and do not recognise the sacrifices of some of the party stakeholders, it is only a matter of time before reactions spring up.
Wike said, “On one part, it’s one of my happiest days. On one hand, it’s one of my saddest days. So it’s like a mixed feeling. If you love your party, you will not be happy with what is going on in your party. And there are ways, if somebody or people who believe in justice want to fight impunity in your party.
“So, on one part, we are happy that we have fought impunity on their part. We are not happy with the way our party is going. But what is key for all of us is that we all may make the sacrifice. I’ve said it several times to my colleagues; it has nothing to do with any personal interest. But I think it must be done very well.
“It’s unfortunate that the so-called purported national convention cannot hold; it has never been bad like this in the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Opposition party is supposed to put heads together and follow due process, but if you are not doing that, then you are sending a wrong message.”
The former Rivers State governor also called on PDP stakeholders to remain steadfast in their commitment to truth and reject any form of intimidation.
“The last time we met, we said we are going to challenge any action that contravenes provisions of the party, and today, by the grace of God, the court has allowed justice to prevail.
“Nobody will be intimidated; we will do what is right. What I expect the governors to do now is to use monies in the state to impact the lives of citizens and not to use it to kill our party,” he added.
Some of the dignitaries in attendance include former governors of Benue and Abia states, Samuel Ortom and Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Philip Aduda, present and former federal lawmakers, Rivers State lawmakers led by the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, and some PDP party state chairmen, among others.
