The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has lashed out at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, urging Nigerians to disregard what it described as his “political desperation and reckless outbursts.”
The party’s reaction followed Wike’s remarks during a media chat on Tuesday, where he challenged commercial banks to open accounts for the Kabiru Turaki-led interim leadership to receive payments for nomination forms ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike also reportedly threatened to shut down any bank within the Federal Capital Territory that accepts such transactions on behalf of the party.
Responding in a statement issued on Wednesday, PDP spokesman Ini Ememobong condemned the minister’s comments, describing them as an “excessive display of political recklessness, opportunism, and frustration.”
The party accused the FCT minister of using the media platform to attack respected Nigerians, adding that his comments lacked substance and were aimed at creating unnecessary controversy.
According to the PDP leadership, the party was not interested in trading words with Wike but felt compelled to apologise to Nigerians for previously supporting his rise in politics.
The statement noted that the party had provided the platform that enabled Wike to become a local government chairman, minister of state, and governor, arguing that Nigerians would have been spared “avoidable political embarrassment” if such opportunities had not been given to him.
The PDP also urged individuals allegedly defamed by the minister during the media session to seek legal action, insisting that no public official should be above the law.
Reacting to Wike’s perceived influence within the opposition party, the PDP maintained that its constitution does not recognise any office known as “National Leader.”
The party said Wike was struggling to come to terms with the reality that he could never occupy such a position, stressing that his conduct and public utterances make him unfit for any exalted role within the organisation.
The PDP further alleged that the minister was unsettled by the party’s ongoing preparations for future elections, including the sale of nomination forms, primary elections, and plans for its national convention.
According to the statement, the sale of forms for the 2027 electoral process remains ongoing and cannot be stopped by intimidation or threats against financial institutions.
The party dismissed Wike’s alleged threats to banks as unrealistic and politically motivated.
On the legal disputes referenced by the minister, the PDP said it was awaiting Certified True Copies of judgments relating to dismissed cross-appeals and challenged Wike to publicly explain the reliefs sought in the cases and the court’s decisions.
Reaffirming its position, the opposition party declared that no amount of intimidation would suppress the truth, insisting that falsehood may spread quickly but would ultimately be overtaken by facts.
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