The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a searing attack on the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), accusing key officials of corruption, impunity, and deliberate sabotage of the opposition party.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday night, Wike said the PDP under its acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, had “lost direction” and was being run by “political task collectors.”
“People want to destroy the PDP, but we will not allow them. Nobody owns this party. I will not join them in dragging it into the gutter,” Wike declared.
The former Rivers State governor and one-time PDP strongman alleged that Damagum lacked integrity and should “be in prison” for corruption.
“People like Umar Damagum should be in jail by now. He is very corrupt — extremely corrupt. Let him go to court if he thinks I’m lying,” Wike said.
Wike, one of the party’s founding members, accused the current National Working Committee (NWC) of violating the PDP constitution and fostering a culture of impunity.
“I’ve always told them — obey the party’s constitution, obey the law. But they think money is everything. The PDP is collapsing because those in charge don’t respect agreements,” he stated.
He warned that the party risked a constitutional crisis if it failed to properly convene its planned national convention slated for November 15–16, insisting that due process must be followed in notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“If this convention fails to hold, the party will enter a constitutional crisis. INEC must be properly notified, and notices must be signed by both the National Chairman and Secretary, not one person,” he cautioned.
Wike dismissed claims that his actions were driven by a desire to control the PDP, insisting his motive was to “rescue the party from total collapse.”
“I’m not happy that the party that made me who I am is dying. But I will never be part of impunity. Those who joined yesterday now think they own the PDP. We, the founding members, built this house and we won’t be chased out,” he said.
He further accused some PDP governors of arrogance and of using state resources to manipulate party structures.
“Some governors believe that because they control money, they can buy everyone. But people like us cannot be bought,” Wike said.
On his relationship with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Wike clarified that they were “political associates, not personal friends,” adding, “Politics is not about friendship — it’s about principles.”
Wike also defended his foreign trip with his sons, saying critics were being mischievous.
“What law says I can’t travel with my sons? They are learning. They have master’s degrees; they must understand governance. Should I travel with my enemies’ children?” he quipped.
On his stewardship in the FCT, the Minister said his focus on infrastructure was yielding visible results.
“People say it’s not only roads that matter. But you can’t have education or healthcare if you can’t access your city. Abuja roads were terrible — we’re fixing them,” he said.
Despite his fierce criticism of the PDP, Wike said reconciliation was still possible if “arrogance and corruption” were addressed.
“We can still work together. But those destroying the party must stop. If they obey the law, the PDP can rise again,” he concluded.
Nyesom Wike
