By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged members of the newly inaugurated National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make the necessary sacrifices required to reposition the party and restore its national prominence.
Wike made the call on Friday during a visit to the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, where he addressed members of the party’s leadership following their recent convention and inauguration.
The FCT Minister congratulated the NWC for successfully assuming office and commended their efforts in resuming full activities at the party’s headquarters, especially after a Federal High Court judgment directed security agencies to vacate the premises and provide protection for the party’s operations.
“After your convention and subsequent inauguration, I have not had the opportunity to visit. But seeing the level of work going on here shows you are ready to kick-start full activities. I must commend you for that bold initiative,” Wike said.
He assured the new leadership of his loyalty and support, noting that party unity remains critical after the conclusion of internal elections.
“Yes, elections have been held, but after elections, you need the support of every party member, morally and otherwise. I have come to pledge my support and loyalty to all of you,” he stated.
Acknowledging the recent internal crisis within the PDP, Wike said rebuilding the party would require commitment, discipline, and sacrifice from its leaders.
“We have had our crisis and we are gradually coming out of it. It will not be easy. It requires hard work and sacrifice to move the party forward,” he said.
The Minister also urged the NWC to leverage the experience of seasoned party leaders within its ranks to guide decision-making and strengthen internal cohesion.
He encouraged the leadership to design programmes that would enhance the party’s popularity among Nigerians, stressing that the PDP remains the country’s foremost opposition platform.
“You cannot become a main opposition party without contesting and winning elections. Leadership of opposition is not by mere claims,” he added.
Wike further advised the party to initiate efforts to reconcile and bring back members who had defected during the crisis, assuring that many were willing to return if properly engaged.
“Reach out to them, send strong delegations. Many are concerned about their political future, and you know what to do,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Nigerians would ultimately prefer the PDP over other political parties, urging the leadership to remain focused and work collectively.
“Do not be afraid of anyone. God, who has brought us this far, will not abandon us. Stay united and committed to rebuilding the party,” Wike said.
Responding the National Chairman of the party, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, the minister that the present crop of leadership will not disappoint him and the party.
While expressing displeasure on how the past NWC members vandalized party assets he said,
“We know that a lot of things need to be done at the secretariat but we took our time to ensure that certain things are done, because a lot of things have been abandoned. Some have been taken away by the past national working committee because there is no sincerity in that leadership and they believe that the secretariat belongs to them as individuals. We are going to correct that impression under this new leadership.
“We are not going to disappoint Nigerians. This is the hope of our teeming supporters across the 36 states and FCT”.
Also in his remarks, the National Secretary expressed appreciation to the Minster for the support he had been rendering to the party.
“Your Excellency, we want to, on behalf of the National Work Committee, welcome you and thank you for coming. Ordinarily, we would want to come to see you and thank you for what you did for us at the convention, your support, morally, financially, and otherwise. When you chose to come to visit us, I can’t imagine what kind of humility is that”.
The minister was received by the entire members of the NWC at about 9.30am.
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