‘Wike Is Delusional’: Turaki-Led PDP Says Minister Knows It Controls Party Accounts

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki has dismissed threats by Nyesom Wike to sanction banks that provide banking services to the group, describing the minister’s remarks as “delusional.”

Wike, speaking during his monthly media chat on Wednesday, challenged the Turaki-led faction to publicly open accounts for the sale of nomination forms.

“Let Turaki, as a senior advocate of Nigeria, open an account for the PDP. Let them announce it publicly for members who want to contest elections. That day, you will see what will happen. He will lose his silk. Any bank that allows them to open an account for the sale of nomination forms will be in trouble,” Wike said.

The FCT minister also threatened to seal properties used by the faction for party activities.

Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, the faction’s spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, accused Wike of making reckless comments and attempting to intimidate party members.

“Today, Nigerians were treated to an unsolicited overdose of political rascality, moral emptiness, crass opportunism, and post-loss trauma by Minister Nyesom Wike,” Ememobong said.

He added that the faction would not be deterred from conducting party activities, including the ongoing sale of nomination forms ahead of planned primaries and a national convention.

“The sale of forms is ongoing, and there is nothing Wike can do about it,” the statement said.

Ememobong also rejected Wike’s warning to banks, insisting that the faction already operates party accounts known to the minister.

“His delusional boast of dealing with banks that will open accounts for us is delusional, as he is already aware that we are operating accounts of the party,” he said.

The spokesperson further claimed that members of Wike’s camp were already receiving funds through private accounts.

The latest exchange underscores growing divisions within the PDP following rival claims to the party’s leadership structure.

On Monday, the faction backed by Seyi Makinde appointed Turaki to lead a 13-member interim national working committee after a Supreme Court ruling invalidated the PDP national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

The Makinde-backed camp maintains that the judgment also nullified officials elected during a separate convention supported by Wike in March.