On Friday in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, met with the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and called for urgent steps to bring back members who had left the party and rebuild its strength ahead of future elections.
He made the call during a visit to the party’s national headquarters, where he assured the newly elected leadership of his support and loyalty. The visit came shortly after internal changes within the party and efforts to move past earlier disputes.
Wike said the PDP still holds its place as a major opposition party in Nigeria and insisted that such a position can only come from success at the polls, not claims by other parties. He dismissed suggestions that smaller parties could take that role without winning elections, noting that political relevance depends on actual electoral performance.
He also told the party leaders that rebuilding would require serious effort and sacrifice. According to him, the party had gone through internal challenges but was gradually stabilising. He urged the leadership to focus on unity and create programmes that would attract more support from Nigerians.
The minister advised the committee to reach out to former members who had defected, many of whom, he said, were uncertain about their future within the party. He encouraged dialogue and engagement to bring them back and strengthen the party’s base.
In response, the PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, welcomed Wike and said the new leadership was ready to reposition the party. He assured that the committee would work to support aspirants and prepare for the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, praised Wike for his continued support, noting that his involvement had helped sustain the party’s activities and visibility.
The meeting reflects ongoing efforts within the PDP to recover from past internal issues and strengthen its position in Nigeria’s political space ahead of the next election cycle.