Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and senior chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared that the party’s internal crisis has subsided, announcing an open-door policy for former members seeking to return.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike likened politics to a game of football rather than a “fight to finish,” urging aggrieved members to set aside personal differences for the party’s progress.
Reflecting on the fallout from the party’s recent national convention, the former Rivers State governor stressed that the time for internal bickering had passed and that PDP was now focused on reconciliation and rebuilding its ranks.
“As far as I’m concerned, the convention has come and gone. People are trooping in. I will say, the door is open. Yes, we have had a crisis. Now the crisis is over. Do we still have to shut our doors? No. Certainly not,” Wike said.
He noted that several members who had previously left the party had already expressed their intention to return, describing the political climate as increasingly conducive for those ready to work for the party’s cause.
Wike also criticized the do-or-die mentality often associated with Nigerian politics, saying it hinders reconciliation and framed PDP’s recent struggles as misunderstandings rather than permanent divisions.
“Politics is not a fight to finish. It’s like a game, like football. If you see it as do or die, it becomes difficult to reconcile. For us, it’s not that way. We have had our differences, but if you’re sincere, there’s nothing left. We can do it together and move the party forward,” he said.
Addressing aspiring candidates, Wike emphasized that political relevance comes from visibility and hard work, not title alone, warning that those who remain on the sidelines would not be recognised as serious contenders in future elections.
“There’s no doubt that we have a lot of work to do, but what is important is that we have put the convention behind us,” he added.
The Telegraph reports that the PDP has been mired in a leadership crisis since 2025, with rival factions holding separate conventions and battling for control in court, raising concerns about the opposition’s unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
