Tinubu Halts Rampaging Wike, Orders FCTA To Unlock PDP’s Premises

• As APC leaders take turns to endorse the President for a second term and fears of a one-party state grows

By PHC Telegraph

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Federal Capital Territory Administration to immediately unseal the premises which hosts the National Headquarters of the biggest opposition party operating in the country – the Peoples Democratic Party.

The President’s intervention is coming as Nigerians react sharply to the decision of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to seal Wadata House.

The PDP had reportedly failed over a period of 28 years to pay ground rents totalling approximately seven million naira.

Wike who is at war with his own party gave the order to the FCTA to seal off the PDP secretariat.

But the President in a move which showed compassion ordered the FCTA to allow a 14-day grace period to enable the PDP and others caught in the web by Wike’s action to settle their debts.

Speaking Monday evening on a current affairs programme broadcast by an Enugu based television station, Signature TV, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, an ex-federal lawmaker, described the closure of the PDP National Secretariat as a huge blow.

He said it was a shame the PDP has been unable to maintain discipline within its ranks, describing Wike and Atiku as the greatest problems confronting the party and its search for reconciliation.

As a result of the sealing of the PDP’s national secretariat, the party convened meetings to discuss the way forward at alternative locations within the federal capital territory.

While Nigerians wondered if Wike’s action in Abuja against the PDP signalled the commencement of alleged moves to convert the country into a one-party stat, it was obvious from what had happened that there was no way its proposed National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Tuesday would hold.

After Monday’s deliberations which took place outside Wadata House, the party suspended its NEC meeting, saying, “The postponement is to allow the Bukola Saraki Reconciliation Committee to complete its assignment of resolving some internal conflicts necessary for a peaceful NEC meeting.”

Recall that the party’s National Caucus met at the Bauchi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, while the Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting, planned for the secretariat, was relocated to Legacy House, the party’s presidential campaign office situated in the Maitama District.

On Sunday, Wike who appears to hold the aces accused associates in the PDP, including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State of betrayal.

He alleged that Makinde and Governor Mbah had stirred leaders of the South East in the PDP against agreements reached over the issue of who occupied the position of thecNational Secretary.

But the PDP’s National Financial Secretary who weighed in on the matter dismissed Wike’s claim.

Daniel Woyengikuro emphasized that the agreements alluded to by Wike were not sanctioned by the PDP.

“What agreements are we talking about? Wike had agreements with his friends, not with the party,” Woyengikuro revealed.

“Those names he mentioned — are they the party? The party was not involved in any agreements he made. We have no knowledge of such agreements”, the Financial Secretary added.

For now, the fight within the PDP rages on while the APC consolidates. Already, caucuses within the ruling are busy endorsing the President’s bid for a second tenure.

Tinubu who urged his party “to sweep them clean” scoffed at those who are expressing fears ovrr a one-party state.

He said people were bailing out of a sinking ship which has not provided lifejackets to all who are on board.

In the meantime, Ilya Damagum, Acting National Chairman of the PDP has said the sealing up of the PDP secretariat is an act of high level irresponsibility on the part of the Tinubu administration.

He said the PDP leadership which is prepared to challenge what is going on  is prepared to undergo arrest, suggesting that enough is enough.