A political group, PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, has challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to persuade President Bola Tinubu to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if he is truly loyal to the opposition party.
The group made the call on Tuesday in Umuahia while responding to Wike’s criticism of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, over his commendation of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti’s achievements.
Speaking on behalf of the group, National Coordinator Emeka Ikpegbu defended Wabara’s attempt to attract Governor Otti to the PDP, arguing that Wike’s loyalty to the party remains questionable. Ikpegbu insisted that if Wike is sincere, he should convince President Tinubu, whom he consistently praises, to cross over to the PDP.
“Wike should first bring his principal, President Bola Tinubu, who he praises every day, to the PDP before preaching to us about anti-party,” Ikpegbu said.
He further accused Wike of hypocrisy, questioning why the former Rivers State Governor remains in a key ministerial position under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while lecturing others on party loyalty.
“Is there any anti-party as bad as a former Governor and a presidential aspirant in PDP serving as a Minister under APC? How many times has Wike publicly praised President Tinubu, yet nobody has sanctioned him for anti-party activities? Why will he begin to lecture us now on how to sanction members for anti-party?” Ikpegbu queried.
The group also commended the PDP BoT and the party’s governors for their firm position on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. They praised the party’s leadership for recognizing Sunday Ude-Okoye as the PDP National Secretary, in line with the Court of Appeal ruling in Enugu.
Despite internal disagreements, the group expressed optimism about the PDP’s chances in the 2027 general elections. It urged party loyalists to resist any attempt to intimidate those working to revive and reposition the party.
The call by the PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress adds to the growing pressure on Wike, who has faced accusations of undermining the PDP while serving in the APC-led administration.