Wike Backs Suspension of PDP Chairman, Says Party Won’t Tolerate Impunity

Abuja — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has weighed in on the deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that the era of impunity in the party must come to an end.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wike threw his weight behind the suspension of the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, by a faction of the party loyal to him, led by Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled national secretary.

The latest turmoil erupted on Saturday when the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) suspended Anyanwu after an emergency meeting. In a swift response, Anyanwu’s faction held a press briefing where it announced the suspension of Damagum and five other NWC members, including Debo Ologunagba (National Publicity Secretary), Taofeek Arapaja (Deputy National Vice Chairman, South), Daniel Woyenguikoro (National Financial Secretary), Sulaiman Kadade (National Youth Leader), and Setonji Koshoedo (Deputy National Secretary).

Reacting to the development, Wike said the move was necessary to restore discipline in the party.

“We cannot continue to allow impunity,” he stated, insisting that the PDP must return to its founding principles of fairness and accountability.

The former Rivers State governor also accused some PDP governors of using state funds to fuel internal crises rather than develop their states.

“The problem we are having today in the PDP is that the kind of money in the hands of the governors is so much,” he said.
“I praised the President for allowing so much money in the hands of states, which has never happened. But I was thinking this money should be put in the development of our states, not to use the money to scatter a party that has built you and given you a name.”

Wike’s comments come amid growing calls for reconciliation within the PDP, as internal divisions continue to threaten the party’s unity ahead of upcoming political contests.

The National Working Committee has yet to officially respond to Wike’s endorsement of Damagum’s suspension, but insiders suggest that the leadership crisis could lead to further realignments within the opposition party.