Wike-Backed Convention Threatens PDP Reconciliation

Presidential Aspirant Warns Against PDP Factional Convention, Cites Threat to Reconciliation

A presidential hopeful on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Hashim, has issued a stern warning to loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against proceeding with a proposed factional convention. Hashim contends that such a move poses a significant risk to ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party and could ultimately undermine the PDP’s unity and long-term viability.

Hashim characterized the planned convention as a “serious threat” to the very fabric of the PDP. He underscored that key stakeholders had previously reached a consensus to pursue a unified convention, a plan that predated a recent Court of Appeal judgment. This agreement, he stressed, was crucial for the party’s cohesion and future electoral prospects.

In a statement released in Abuja, the PDP chieftain, who has been a vocal advocate for internal reconciliation, alleged that the peace process is being deliberately undermined by individuals he described as “fifth columnists.” These actors, he suggested, are operating in pursuit of external agendas that are antithetical to the PDP’s best interests.

“I urge the Wike faction not to renege on the gentleman’s agreement already reached,” Hashim implored. “This is about the survival and integrity of the PDP. We cannot afford to fracture the party further at this critical juncture.”

Beyond the proposed convention, Hashim also raised concerns about alleged attempts to interfere with existing state executive committees. He specifically highlighted potential disruptions in Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Kano states. Hashim emphasized that any such actions would constitute a clear violation of the PDP’s constitution and established party procedures.

He firmly maintained that the tenures of the recognized state executives are fixed and cannot be arbitrarily altered or truncated. Hashim cautioned against the dangerous practice of “exporting the national leadership crisis into otherwise stable state structures,” warning that this could create unnecessary internal strife and weaken the party’s presence at the grassroots level.

To clarify the legitimate leadership in the affected states, Hashim identified the recognized state chairmen as follows:
* Raymond Dabo (Plateau)
* Adamu Ninga (Nasarawa)
* Edward Percy Masha (Kaduna)
* Yusuf Ado Kibiya (Kano)

He insisted that these mandates must be respected and that their authority should not be challenged by the imposition of parallel structures.

Hashim further elaborated on the potential consequences of such divisive actions. He argued that imposing parallel structures in states that are currently free from internal disputes could exacerbate existing tensions and further deepen the crisis within the PDP. This, he warned, would inevitably weaken the party’s overall cohesion and preparedness for upcoming elections.

The presidential hopeful issued a stark warning to the key actors involved in these disputes. He asserted that they risk emerging as significant political losers if they fail to resolve their differences and adhere to an agreed-upon framework. This framework, he emphasized, should encompass a clear plan for power-sharing and the harmonization of the National Working Committees of the rival factions, thereby paving the way for a united and formidable PDP.