The fate of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), will be revealed as the party has set a date for its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
News About Nigeria reports that the meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2024.
In recent months, the main opposition party has been embroiled in internal discord following the fallout of key politicians within its fold, including Wike, especially during the buildup to the 2023 general election.
During the primaries, Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, contested but lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
However, attempts to reconcile the party following Wike’s defeat have proven futile.
The dissenting stance of the G5 governors, including Wike, who withheld support for Atiku during the election, has further exacerbated internal rifts within the party.
Efforts by stakeholders to bridge the divide between Atiku’s supporters and Wike loyalists, even after the elections that the party lost, have all but failed.
Nevertheless, the forthcoming NEC meeting is perceived as a critical opportunity to put to bed the party’s challenges and propose potential solutions ahead of the 2027 election.
Anticipated topics for discussion include the resolution of internal conflicts, disciplinary measures against members engaged in anti-party activities, which Wike was glaringly involved in, and the status of party leadership.
Likewise, the suspension of the National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and the role of the acting Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, are likely to feature prominently on the agenda.
Segun Showunmi, a prominent party member, has described the upcoming NEC meeting as “make or mar.”
According to him, the decisions taken at the meeting will not only impact the next election but also determine the party’s survival.
Speaking to reporters, Showunmi said, “This NEC is a make or mar meeting for the PDP because a lot of issues require the attention of the party members, and the members of the party and the Nigerian public have some minimum expectations as to how they expect the party to progress going forward.
