Wike pushes PDP reconciliation, urges defectors to return

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on aggrieved members and defectors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to return, saying the party remains open to reconciliation efforts.

Wike appealed on Monday during the party’s 108th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at Wadata Plaza, the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.

He urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, to intensify efforts to reunite members and rebuild internal cohesion.

“Now we are together, we must not stop at reconciliation. The more, the merrier,” Wike said, rejecting suggestions that defectors should be ignored. “There is still room for them to come back, and whatever that is due to them, they will still have it.”

Wike attributed the wave of defections to uncertainty within the party at the time, noting that politicians often seek stability.

“But now that the party is back and will be on the ballot, if you engage them, they may reconsider and return,” he said.

The former Rivers governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, stressing that he has remained a member since 1998 and has no plans to leave.

Confidence in party leadership, legal battles

On ongoing legal disputes involving the party, Wike expressed confidence in its legal team, saying they are handling cases effectively.

He also commended the NWC for reclaiming the party’s national secretariat, describing it as a step toward stabilising the party’s structure.

In his remarks, Mohammed said the party leadership is already engaging aggrieved members and defectors as part of a broader reconciliation strategy.

He emphasised that the PDP is committed to rebuilding unity ahead of future political contests, signalling a renewed push to consolidate its base after internal divisions and defections.

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