A top Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party has blamed Minister Nyesom Wike for the tension shaking the party ahead of its national convention.
Former Presidential Media Adviser, Sani Umar, raised the alarm during a TV interview, saying the former Rivers governor is fueling internal crisis to weaken the PDP.
According to Umar, the party’s National Working Committee acted within its powers when it suspended four top members, including National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
He insisted the leadership only followed the rules and did not act out of sentiment.
“The counter-suspension by the Anyanwu group is merely an effort to cover their shame,” he said. “They do not have the authority to suspend the National Chairman. Out of 19 members of the NWC, only four met to issue that suspension. They do not even form a quorum.”
Umar explained that the action was grounded in the PDP constitution.
“The NWC deliberated, found that some members had committed offences, and suspended them for one month pending their appearance before the National Disciplinary Committee,” he added.
He dismissed concerns that a recent court ruling could stop the party’s planned convention.
“The judgement by Justice Omotosho only asked us to give another 21-day notice, but we disagree because it’s a concluded matter,” he said.
“The judge went ahead to grant reliefs not even sought by the plaintiffs. We know that any matter before him involving Wike, we won’t win.”
Umar accused the judge of bias and vowed that the party would take action.
“That judgement is prejudicial, premeditated, and politically motivated,” he declared.
He then turned his focus back to Wike, claiming the FCT Minister is deliberately working against the party.
“The problems within the PDP are induced by Nyesom Wike,” he said. “This is somebody who has clearly stated that he will support Tinubu in 2027. I don’t know why someone who has declared support for another party should still meddle in PDP affairs. That is anti-party activity.”
Asked why Wike has not been suspended, Umar said the party prefers a careful strategy.
“We wanted to systematically ease him and his cohorts out of the party through the convention,” he explained. “We didn’t want unnecessary fisticuffs along the way.”
He also rejected Wike’s claim that the PDP is ruled by impunity.
“If there is anyone who should be accused of impunity, it is Wike,” he said. “He singlehandedly brought in Ali Modu Sheriff, later removed him, installed Uche Secondus, removed him again, and then brought in Iyorchia Ayu. He only cries impunity now because things no longer favour him.”
Despite the legal battles and internal friction, Umar maintained that the convention will go forward.
“We have legal options,” he said. “We can appeal and apply for a stay of execution. Once that is done, the convention can go ahead legally.”
On internal arrangements, he defended the choice of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as consensus candidate.
“The governors are the biggest pressure group in the party—he who pays the piper dictates the tune,” he said. “Those raising objections are simply the ones contesting the process, not the party.”
He also pushed back on claims by former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido regarding nomination form access.
“The sale of forms ended on 22 September, and submission was extended to 27 October,” he said. “You can’t go looking for a form on the final day of submission. That’s political mischief.”
Umar went further to accuse Lamido of flirting with rival political forces.
“Lamido has been absent from PDP activities for over a year,” he said. “Now he is romancing the Wike group and has held meetings with ADC. No political party will tolerate that.”
Umar ended on a confident note, insisting the PDP will survive the turbulence and move ahead with its plans.
“We are following due process, and the convention will hold,” he said. “No amount of internal sabotage will derail the PDP.”