Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, the Director of Research, Strategy and Documentation for the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, emphasizes the essentiality of expelling Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, from the PDP in order to ensure the survival of the party.
In an interview with journalists in Abuja on Monday, Obaseki pointed out Wike’s call for the suspension/expulsion of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, his continuous criticisms of the party, and his repeated acts of betrayal as grounds for his dismissal.
Obaseki further stated that Wike, who previously served as the Governor of Rivers State, has played a significant role in most, if not all, of the internal crises within the PDP due to his excessive ambition to secure the party’s Presidential ticket.
He observed that Wike has been inconsolable since his unsuccessful schemes, starting with his support for Uche Secondus for the party’s chairmanship, which ultimately led to his defeat in the PDP Presidential primaries.
Obaseki asserted, “Wike was (/is) the primary cause of the PDP’s challenges, and it is imperative that the party expels him.”
Responding to Wike’s call for Atiku’s expulsion from the party, Obaseki stated, “The person who truly deserves expulsion from the party is the one who is calling for the expulsion of others.”
“Wike created a faction within the party known as the G-5, campaigned against the party’s will, constitution, and structures, and has fought against numerous party members,” Obaseki added.
He cited Bello Matawalle, former Governor of Zamfara State, Dave Umahi, and Professor Ben Ayade as examples of individuals who left the party due to Wike’s actions.
Obaseki affirmed that Wike has crossed a red line and must be prepared for the consequences, as the party and a majority of Nigerians will take a strong stance against his actions.
Dismissing Wike’s claim that he was fighting the party for violating its own zoning rules, Obaseki labeled it as mere blackmail.
He clarified that the PDP had not mandated power to go to the South for the 2023 elections, as the party had already given the Southern region four out of six Presidential terms since 1999.
Obaseki revealed that he had presented this information to the governors in December 2021, but Wike disagreed as he wanted the primaries to be open.
He emphasized that Wike’s pursuit of the presidency was driven by self-interest, as he wanted to prepare the ground for his own candidacy despite the fact that the immediate past Southern President and the last PDP President hailed from his home state of Rivers.
Obaseki concluded by affirming that the battle to reclaim the party’s stolen mandate, currently under review by the Supreme Court, would be pursued until its rightful conclusion, as Nigerians deserve better.
