A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) support group has sharply criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, urging him to concentrate on his ministerial responsibilities rather than engaging in media attacks against the party's Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Adolphus Wabara.
The group, PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, made this statement on Wednesday in Umuahia in response to Wike's recent media comments where he criticized Wabara for allegedly supporting the Labour Party-led administration of Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
During a recent media interaction, Wike had expressed surprise that while he faced criticism for supporting President Bola Tinubu, people were not equally condemning Wabara, whom he accused of campaigning for Governor Otti's re-election.
Responding to these allegations, the Chairman of the PDP group, Mr. Emeka Yellow Ikpegbu, stated: "Wike lacks the moral rectitude to criticise Senator Wabara for applauding the developmental strides of his state governor, when he (Wike), a supposed PDP chieftain, is busy championing the re-election bid of President Ahmed Tinubu, a member of another party."
The group further questioned Wike's motives, asking: "Why does Wike, who masquerades as an apostle of truth, derive pleasure in castigating Senator Wabara for speaking the truth? When has telling the truth become a crime?"
Ikpegbu attributed PDP's loss in Abia during the 2023 elections to Wike's failure to "speak truth to power," adding that "courageous elders like Wabara and a few others who spoke out were hated and chastised. Today, we all know better."
The PDP group challenged Wike to address the various challenges facing Abuja residents instead of engaging in what they described as "unnecessary media showmanship" against Wabara. They also issued a warning that no individual would be permitted to undermine the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This exchange highlights the ongoing internal conflicts within Nigeria's main opposition party as it prepares for future electoral contests, with prominent figures taking opposing positions on cross-party collaborations and endorsements.
