Nyesom Wike Urges New PDP National Working Committee to Prioritize Reconciliation and Reclaim Defected Members

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike urges the PDP's new NWC to launch an aggressive reconciliation campaign to reclaim members lost to other political parties.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 10:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Newsdiaryonline

A Call for Strategic Reconciliation and Expansion

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a prominent leader within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has officially charged the party’s new National Working Committee (NWC) to lead a robust effort to reunite the fold. During a visit to the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC at the Wadata House national secretariat in Abuja, Wike stressed that the party’s recovery hinges on its ability to attract back members who defected to other platforms. He urged the leadership to deploy a "powerful team" to engage with these individuals and address their fears regarding future electoral tickets and party stability.

Reasserting PDP as the "Main Opposition" Powerhouse

In a direct challenge to emerging political movements, Wike dismissed the claims of smaller groups positioning themselves as the primary voice of the opposition. He argued that political relevance is determined by performance at the polls, noting that several groups claiming to be leaders have failed to secure even local council seats. Wike maintained that the PDP remains the only viable and established opposition platform in Nigeria, despite not currently holding the presidency, and warned against the "hypocrisy" of parties that criticize defectors while simultaneously courting them to grow their own ranks.

Judicial Clarity and Administrative Resumption

The visit took place against a backdrop of administrative normalization at the party's headquarters. Following a Federal High Court judgment that directed police to vacate the premises, the Mohammed-led NWC has officially resumed duties under judicial protection. Wike congratulated the new members on their victory at the recent national convention and commended the ongoing renovations at the secretariat. He pledged his continued "moral and otherwise" support, acknowledging that while the party is emerging from a significant crisis, the path forward requires substantial sacrifice and hard work.