Responding to the outburst by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and one of its prominent members, Nyesom Wike that he was pulling out of all reconciliation agreements, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from such agreements describing them as “personal” and not a reflection the party’s official position.
In an interview with Vanguard in Abuja on Sunday, the PDP National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyengikuro, asserted that the party was not involved in any deals made by the former Rivers State governor.
Woyengikuro said, “What agreements are we talking about? Wike had agreements with his friends, not with the party. Those names he mentioned — are they the party? The party was not involved in any agreements he made. We have no knowledge of such agreements”.
Emphasising the need for the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), its highest decision-making organ apart from the convention, to convene and address the growing disputes, Woyengikuro stated that “The NEC will address any issues. This isn’t a physical fight or a man-to-man confrontation. All this unnecessary drama is uncalled for”.
He dismissed Wike’s public accusations and advised Nigerians to seek official party positions from the appropriate authorities.
“Please, reach out to the chairman or the publicity secretary for the party’s official position,” he advised.
A member of the PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, Rt. Hon. Jones Onyereri, however disagreed with the validity of the said agreements, questioning why anyone would walk back on agreements brokered by respected party elders.
Onyereri told Vanguard: “Why would anyone renege on an agreement that elders staked their reputations to broker? These are high-ranking members of the party — sitting governors, former governors — who reached a consensus. So why go back on it? It’s not a good look”.
The controversy arose from Wike’s recent claims that key PDP figures, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, had reneged on previously reached agreements intended to stabilize the party. Citing dishonesty and lack of trust, Wike announced his withdrawal from all such deals.
Efforts to reach PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for the party’s official response were unsuccessful, as multiple calls to his mobile line went unanswered as of press time.