The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday dismissed reports of a split within the Peoples Democratic Party, insisting the opposition party remains united as it prepares for its national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2026.
Wike made the remarks while speaking to journalists in Abuja after inspecting several ongoing and completed infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
Addressing speculation about internal divisions, the minister said disagreements among party members do not amount to factionalisation.
“We have only one PDP, no faction,” Wike said.
“I don’t know which camp you are talking about. There is only one PDP. Some individuals may not be happy, yes, but there is no faction,” he added.
The minister noted that reconciliation efforts within the party are still ongoing and can continue alongside preparations for the convention.
“That there is a convention does not mean there will be no reconciliation. Everything has its own time,” he said.
During the inspection tour, Wike reiterated the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to ensuring the timely delivery and quality execution of infrastructure projects.
“In our usual programme, we make sure we go round to see what the contractors are doing and the quality of jobs they will hand over,” he said.
The minister disclosed that a bridge project near the Federal Fire Service facility in Abuja is nearing completion, with contractors projecting delivery within five months.
“From what we have seen, it is a very quality job. I commend the company,” Wike stated.
He also confirmed that the N5 road project handled by Julius Berger has been completed and will be inaugurated as part of activities marking the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in office.
At the Nigerian Law School, Wike expressed satisfaction with the completion of 10 fully furnished staff bungalows ready for use.
He also inspected ongoing hostel construction projects, commending progress on the female hostel but expressing concern about delays affecting the male hostel.
“I am quite impressed with the female hostel, but I am not impressed with the level of work on the male hostel. They were awarded at the same time,” he said, noting that contractors had pledged completion by October or November.
Wike described the intervention as unprecedented, saying it marks a significant milestone for the institution.
“This is the first time a government is trying to provide basic infrastructure for the Nigerian Law School,” he said.
On project funding and execution, the minister attributed the administration’s performance to prudent resource management and political commitment.
“It is not about the amount of money, but commitment. You can have all the money and still not achieve results if you are not committed,” he stated.
According to him, the FCT largely relies on internally generated revenue and avoids awarding projects that cannot be funded.
“Projects we don’t have money for, we will not award them,” Wike stressed.
He credited the pace of development in the capital to the support of President Tinubu.
“The momentum we are getting is because we have a President who believes in providing infrastructure. That support makes the difference,” he said.
Wike assured residents that all ongoing projects in the FCT would be completed as scheduled.
His comments come against the backdrop of a prolonged leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party that began in November 2025.
Earlier, PDP governors backed a convention held in Ibadan on November 15, which produced Kabiru Turaki and other members of the party’s National Working Committee for a four-year tenure.
Leadership was subsequently handed over from former acting national chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure ended on December 9.
However, a faction loyal to Wike later constituted a 13-member caretaker committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting national chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as acting national secretary, with a 60-day mandate.
Attempts by both factions to hold meetings at the PDP National Secretariat on November 18 reportedly turned chaotic, prompting the Nigeria Police Force to seal the party’s secretariat.
Legal battles followed, culminating in a hearing at the Court of Appeal on February 12.
On March 9, the court ruled that the Ibadan convention violated the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the party’s constitution, nullifying the convention that produced Turaki and his committee.
