Convention: Return our mandate, Wike dares PDP governors who defected to APC, others

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has berated defecting governors, saying their exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) exposes a failure of leadership, commitment and courage.

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Mr Wike spoke at the 2026 convention of the PDP on Sunday, held by a faction of the opposition party led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and backed by him.

Addressing delegates, the national leader of the faction framed the recent defections from the PDP as evidence of weak leadership, arguing that those who abandoned the party in turbulent times failed a fundamental test of responsibility.

“Leadership is not an easy task. Leadership requires courage, firmness and commitment,” he said. “What you see that has happened, the defection of some governors, has only shown that they lack leadership traits.”

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He drew a parallel with Peter Obi’s presidential ambition, the former Labour Party candidate, suggesting that leaders who cannot withstand internal crises are unfit for greater responsibility.

“When crisis came, it was the time to show leadership, but he ran away because he could not solve problems,” Mr Wike said. “The same thing applies to our governors. When they needed a platform, the party was there for them. When the crisis came, they ran away.”

The minister likened political loyalty to family responsibility, arguing that true leaders do not abandon their base in difficult moments.

“When you have a family, and there are problems, you do not abandon it. You stay to solve the problem,” he said, commending those who remained in the PDP despite internal divisions. “You have shown leadership character and resilience.”

Mr Wike also issued a stern warning to defectors, declaring that loyal party members would work to reclaim what he described as their stolen mandate.

“This is the period of ‘operation show your report card’. All of you who took our mandate, we will take it back,” he said. “If they cannot withstand a small crisis, what happens if they face a national or external crisis?”

He urged party members across states, including Taraba, Bayelsa and Plateau, to “return our mandate,” signalling a renewed push to reassert the PDP’s political strength at subnational levels.

Among the governors who dumped the PDP are Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bsyelsa), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), all of who moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, dumped the party for the Accord Party.

Only two governors, Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) are the only two governors are left in the opposition party.
Beyond criticism, Mr Wike, who is serving in the APC federal administration, painted a narrative of survival and resurgence for the PDP, saying the party had overcome a “tragic crisis of leadership” that once threatened its existence.

“As a congregation of victorious men and women under the umbrella, we fought against those who tried to destroy the party and resisted forces that opposed internal democracy and the rule of law,” he said.

According to him, loyal members reclaimed the party from individuals who undermined its founding principles, restoring it to “its rightful owners, the people.”

He praised grassroots supporters for remaining steadfast despite elite defections, describing them as the backbone of the party’s endurance.

“While opportunistic elites were gyrating, our grassroots members remained committed, believing that a renaissance would come. Today, that renaissance is here,” he said.

Mr Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, called for unity and inclusiveness as the PDP seeks to rebuild, urging former members, regardless of past disagreements, to return.

“The future of our party must be built on inclusiveness, unity and renewal. No one will be excluded. Everyone will have equal opportunity to serve,” he said.

He concluded by urging members to recommit to the party’s ideals and create credible channels for grassroots participation, stressing that the PDP must evolve into a platform that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians.

“We must renew our loyalty and dedication. We must create legitimate channels through which the people’s voices can be heard,” he said.