The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Turaki has responded to comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the group’s plan to open bank accounts for party activities and the sale of nomination forms.
Naijaonpoint reports that Wike had warned that the group should publicly prove its legitimacy by opening accounts in the name of the party and said banks that allow such accounts could face consequences.
He also threatened that any building used by the faction for party operations could be shut down.
In reaction, the Turaki-led group dismissed the claims and said Wike is already aware that the party operates official accounts used for its activities.
The faction said the minister’s comments were unnecessary and described his position as driven by frustration over internal party developments.
The group said the process of selling nomination forms and preparing for party primaries is ongoing and will continue without interruption.
It added that no individual has the power to stop the activities of the party structure under its current leadership.
According to the faction, Wike’s remarks about dealing with banks were not realistic, since the party already runs accounts for its operations.
It also suggested that funds related to party activities are not handled in the way he described.
“As the legitimate leadership of our political party, we sympathise with Wike for the pain concomitant with the realisation that he will not and can never be the National Leader of our party, as no such office exists in our constitution; and even if it did, he, by conduct and speech, would be grossly insufficient to assume such an exalted office.
“We understand his frustration about the commencement of the sale of forms and activities to hold primaries and eventually a national convention where a credible Nigerian will emerge as the Presidential Candidate.
“This will mean that he has failed in his promise to ‘hold down’ the party for his principal. The sale of forms is ongoing, and there is nothing Wike can do about it.
“His delusional boast of dealing with banks that will open accounts for us is delusional, as he is already aware that we are operating accounts of the party, which is why his group of friends are receiving money through private accounts,” the statement read.