National Convention: Wike Still in PDP, Not Destroying Party – Lere Olayinka

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed that his principal remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), amid the confusion surrounding the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Olayinka made the comments on Wednesday while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, responding to claims that Wike was attempting to destabilize the PDP before joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He emphasized that Wike’s fight within the PDP is aimed at ensuring adherence to the party’s constitution and doing the right thing. According to him, many of Wike’s concerns about party leadership have been accepted despite initial resistance.

“The Minister has continually maintained that he remains in PDP. Everything he raised—whether it was about Damagum remaining PDP chairman, or the issue with Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary—has ultimately been acknowledged by the party,” Olayinka said.

He added, “Supreme Court judgments that the party initially refused to obey eventually aligned with Wike’s positions. You may dislike Wike, but can you deny the constitution of your party? Internal affairs must operate according to the party’s constitution.”

Olayinka also addressed the Abuja Federal High Court ruling restraining the PDP from proceeding with its national convention, noting that the party has already zoned its presidential ticket. He explained, “PDP does not zone positions by North Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, or Southeast; it only observes North and South zoning.”

Responding to allegations that Wike caused the party’s internal crisis, Olayinka questioned if Wike was responsible for former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido being denied his nomination form despite paying for it. “Even if you have preferred candidates, individuals must be allowed to contest freely,” he said.

He further accused some PDP leaders of being unaware of where nomination forms for the upcoming convention can be obtained, saying, “Most of these leaders don’t even know where the forms are, and the National Organizing Secretary, who oversees the convention and congresses, does not know who is contesting. These are the real issues facing the party.”