‘OPEN AN OFFICE, I’LL SHUT IT DOWN’ — WIKE WARNS TURAKI’S PDP GROUP
Read Time:2 Minute, 33 Second
By; Ganiyat Sunmola
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prove its legitimacy by establishing an official party secretariat and opening a bank account in Abuja.
Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, Wike warned that any such office set up by the faction would be sealed immediately, insisting that only the recognised leadership has the legal authority to operate the party’s structures.
He accused the rival group, which includes Seyi Makinde and others, of defying court rulings and attempting to mislead Nigerians with what he described as illegitimate claims to party leadership.
Wike maintained that the faction lacks the legal standing and documentation required to manage PDP affairs, stressing that no financial institution would approve the opening of an official party account without recognised authority.
“If they believe they are the authentic leadership, let them open a PDP account and ask members to pay nomination fees into it. That will expose the truth,” he said, adding that such a move would fail due to lack of proper credentials.
He directed his remarks particularly at Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, challenging him to publicly establish a party account and test its legitimacy.
On the issue of physical structures, Wike was unequivocal, warning that any attempt to operate a parallel PDP secretariat in Abuja would be met with swift enforcement action.
“You cannot create a leadership in your bedroom and call it national. Let them open an office and see what happens. I will seal it,” he said, citing his responsibility to maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister reiterated that he remains a committed PDP member and is acting to uphold constitutional order within the party.
Wike also dismissed the faction’s interpretation of court rulings, insisting that existing judicial decisions clearly support the recognised leadership, while accusing the opposing group of deliberately distorting legal pronouncements.
He further criticised moves to constitute alternative party structures, including within the Board of Trustees, describing them as illegal and misleading.
On the Abuja land issue, Wike defended his administration’s crackdown on abandoned and misused plots, particularly around Jabi Lake, stating that the exercise is aimed at restoring order and enforcing the Abuja master plan.
He clarified that the government is not taking land away from the public but reclaiming plots from individuals and entities that failed to develop them or diverted them to unauthorised uses.
The minister warned against converting designated recreational spaces into other purposes, including places of worship, stressing that such violations would not be tolerated.
Wike disclosed that several undeveloped plots around Jabi Lake, some left idle for over 15 years, have already been revoked and would be reassigned to investors capable of developing them within a specified timeframe.
“If you are not ready to develop, the land will be taken back and given to those who are serious,” he said, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to enforcing compliance and ensuring orderly development in Abuja.
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