We’ve already started the process to reclaim PDP from Wike – He’s a political coward, says Party Chieftain Nwobu

In an exclusive interview in Awka on Thursday, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his reluctance to leave the party. Nwobu described Wike’s refusal to formally exit PDP while openly supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as “cowardly.” He pointed out the contradiction in Wike’s stance, asserting that if Wike truly believed in his loyalty to PDP, he would not be publicly endorsing another party.

“If Wike were man enough, he would go and obtain an APC membership card. I am convinced he is a coward for insisting he is still a PDP member while backing President Tinubu. What kind of contradiction is that? You can’t claim loyalty to one party while promoting the interest of another. That is not how political integrity works,” Nwobu said.

Reflecting on Wike’s tenure as governor, Nwobu argued that Wike had too much control over the PDP, particularly in deciding key party positions. Nwobu suggested that while Wike appeared to be advancing the party’s interests, he was secretly cultivating a network of loyalists within the party to further his own political ambitions.

“He planted loyalists across the party structure, particularly in the National Working Committee (NWC). He acted as though he was defending the party’s interests, but he was laying the groundwork for his personal political ambition,” Nwobu said.

Nwobu further noted that Wike’s influence continues to affect the party’s internal operations, making it difficult to take action against him due to the presence of his loyalists in strategic positions. These individuals, according to Nwobu, have been protected by financial incentives and continue to shield Wike from any form of accountability within the party.

“Most of the former NWC members owed their positions to him, from the national chairman to the secretary. Even now, he still sustains their loyalty through financial inducement, which is why it’s been difficult to confront the matter head-on,” Nwobu added.

However, Nwobu confirmed that efforts to reclaim the party from Wike’s influence have already begun. He revealed that the removal of Wike’s loyalists from key party offices is underway, starting with the national secretary. He believes that restoring integrity to the PDP will require dismantling Wike’s network within the party.

“We’ve already dealt with the national secretary, and he’s out. Others will follow. The national secretary position is critical in any party, and removing his loyalists from such strategic offices will help restore integrity to the PDP,” Nwobu said.

Looking ahead, Nwobu shared that a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting is scheduled for May, where decisions made by the NWC will be ratified. This will be followed by a national convention, where new leadership is expected to emerge. Nwobu is hopeful that the changes will help eliminate Wike’s lingering influence and pave the way for a renewed PDP.

“With the emergence of a new leadership, the political colouration that has held the party hostage will be eliminated. Wike’s undue influence will finally be rooted out,” he concluded.