The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a daunting challenge in disciplining one of its most influential members, Barr. Nyesom Wike. Since the fall out at the last presidential election with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Rivers State Governor has been at the center of a lingering crisis within the party, and his camp has been accused of plotting against members opposed to the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Wike’s significant influence within the party stems from his control of the party’s structures in Rivers State, as well as his close relationships with other powerful governors and supporters. This has made it difficult for the party’s leadership to take decisive action against him despite his anti-party engagements.
Wike’s camp has been backed by four governors – Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba) – who supported Damagum’s continued leadership. This has created a divided party, with some members calling for Wike’s expulsion and others opposing such a move.
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja could have been evicted from the party if not his influence. He tends to be bigger than PDP.
The Party’s inability to discipline Wike is also attributed to its failure to address the underlying issues driving the crisis. The repeated postponements of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting have been seen as a tactic to maintain the status quo and prevent any decisive action against Wike’s camp.
In addition, the party’s leadership has been criticized for its inability to manage the crisis effectively. The National Working Committee (NWC) has been accused of being ineffective in addressing the issues, and the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) has been called upon to intervene.
The PDP’s inability to discipline Nyesom Wike is a complex issue driven by his significant influence within the party, the divided loyalty of party members, and the party’s failure to address the underlying issues driving the crisis. Until these issues are addressed, the PDP will continue to struggle with disciplining one of its most powerful members.
