Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has called for unity among party members, while Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike asserts his autonomy in collaborating with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the South-South Zonal Congress in Calabar, Duke emphasized the necessity for cohesion within the PDP to overcome internal disputes and defections to the APC.
He expressed confidence in the party’s potential resurgence, stating, “I want to implore us to be focused and steadfast. There is no amount of struggle we cannot surmount.”
Conversely, Minister Wike addressed the congress, asserting his right to support the APC-led federal government without facing accusations of anti-party activities.
He highlighted instances where other PDP leaders have openly supported members of opposing parties without reprimand, suggesting a double standard within the party’s leadership.
“You have a BoT chairman who said he has no regrets in praising and supporting the LP governor in Abia State. The BoT chairman said he will continue to support the Abia governor until his second term ticket is guaranteed.”
Wike pointed out that the PDP’s Board of Trustees chairman publicly endorsed the Labour Party governor in Abia State, pledging continued support to secure the governor’s re-election.
Additionally, he noted that the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum celebrated a governor from another party who won an election against the PDP in his state, actions that were not deemed as anti-party conduct by the National Working Committee.
“Besides, the chairman of PDP Governors Forum went and celebrated that governor from another party who won election in his state against PDP and that was not seen as anti-party.”
“The National Working Committee never rebuked the governor for adopting a governorship candidate of another party. You see hypocrisy,” Wike said.
Emphasizing his resilience against perceived intimidation, Wike declared, “I will continue to fight until the right thing is done and seen to have been done.”
He also clarified that prior to accepting the ministerial role, he consulted with PDP stakeholders and received their approval, questioning the basis of any allegations against him.
Wike further criticized senior political figures for not being forthright, stating, “We have elders in this country who don’t tell their children the truth. For me, I say no, I must tell people the truth.”
He recalled an agreement among Southern PDP leaders, including Bode George, to support a Southern presidential candidate in 2023, which influenced his decision to back President Bola Tinubu’s election.
