Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, is a member of Tinubu’s cabinet. He worked against the PDP in the 2023 elections, supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
A former Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mark Jacob, has criticised the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for attempting to influence the party’s internal affairs without attending its meetings.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Jacob said that Wike had not attended any National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings in over a year, despite still projecting influence within the party.
“There is no way Wike can sit in the comfort of his bedroom and dictate what happens in the PDP. It’s not going to happen, not with the effort being put in place,” he stressed.
He said the ongoing repositioning of the party means that Wike can no longer exert control without engaging directly.
“Personally I have attended several meetings of the PDP. The NEC meeting I have attended in the last year, yet Wike has not attended any, and so I don’t see the big seat he occupies,” he said.
“He has his interest, and he has his supporters scattered left and right in several positions.”
Jacob challenged Wike to come out publicly, attend party meetings, and make his case before party members.
“He will need to step out and show what he stands for — come to the PDP meeting and convince people about whatever he’s saying,” he added.
He maintained that Wike has every right to take a position on issues in the party.
The former PDP legal adviser said, “He is at liberty to take a position, but that position is going to be interrogated by members of the party, and I want to see how he can force it. Anybody to obey or comply with his own opinion. It’s a difficult thing to undertake.”
He described the ongoing efforts to reposition the PDP as healthy and necessary, adding that it is reassuring to see longstanding issues finally being addressed.
“Minor issues that are to be sorted out in a meeting have been allowed to fester and become a problem,” he said. “I can see a lot of efforts being made by respected members of the party to resolve the issues, and it is very welcoming for me.”
He emphasized the importance of bold leadership. “When the political party fails to make decisions, they cannot blame INEC. PDP must be bold enough to take decisions,” he said.
Jacob also briefly touched on the situation in other parties, such as the ADC, expressing sympathy for their internal struggles. He concluded by welcoming recent resignations in the PDP, noting that such moves often open the door for progress.
“If some people don’t resign, you won’t get a promotion,” he said.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, is serving as a member of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. He worked against the PDP in the 2023 elections, supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, he also criticised Wike’s unclear allegiance, pointing out his continued association with the APC while refusing to openly declare where he stands. Jacob said such political double-dealing is damaging and unacceptable within a party that seeks to move forward.
He stated that Wike must attend meetings, convince members, and stop “hiding behind a mask and throwing shots.”