The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed suggestions that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, could permanently align with the ruling All Progressives Congress, insisting that the former Rivers State governor remains one of its most valuable political assets despite serving in the APC-led Federal Government.
The party said it has no intention of relinquishing Wike, describing him as a loyal member whose contributions to the PDP over the years remain invaluable.
The PDP’s position followed recent remarks by the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, who publicly praised Wike’s performance and leadership while commissioning a project in Abuja on Tuesday.
Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said the APC chairman’s commendation amounted to a public acknowledgement of the quality of leadership within the opposition party.
According to him, the praise further demonstrated that the PDP remains home to some of Nigeria’s most competent and result-oriented political leaders.
“The Peoples Democratic Party has noted with amusement the candid acknowledgment by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, of the remarkable contributions, exceptional leadership, and outstanding performance of one of the PDP’s finest assets, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, during the commissioning of a major project in Abuja,” the statement read.
“The commendation by the APC National Chairman is yet another public acknowledgement of the quality, competence, and leadership capacity that the PDP continues to offer Nigeria. It also reinforces the fact that the PDP remains home to some of the country’s most accomplished and result-oriented leaders.”
The opposition party stressed that Wike’s appointment in the APC-led administration should not be interpreted as a political defection or indication of plans to leave the PDP.
It maintained that the FCT minister remains a committed and loyal member of the party.
“However, while we welcome the open admiration expressed by the APC National Chairman and the glowing accolades showered on our national leader, it is necessary to clarify that Barrister Wike remains a committed and loyal member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“As Professor Yilwatda himself implied, Barrister Wike’s engagement with the APC-led administration is best described as a loan arrangement, and we wish to state unequivocally that the agreement contains no provision whatsoever for a permanent transfer deal,” the party stated.
