The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, to remain steadfast and focused, declaring that the party is proud of his performance and political capacity.
The PDP BoT made its position known on Tuesday when a delegation led by its Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, visited Wike at his Abuja residence to condole with him over the death of the party’s National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih.
Ohuabunwa said the delegation was also at the minister’s residence to encourage him and express solidarity with him amid the challenges facing the PDP.
“We are here to solidarise with him, encourage him and tell him to remain focused. Because everything he’s been saying about the party is nothing but the truth,” Ohuabunwa said.
He said Wike had sought the party’s approval before accepting his appointment as FCT Minister and received its backing.
“We want to boldly say that as a party and as the conscience of the party and also the compass of this party, we are very, very proud of him. Proud of him as a person, proud of him in performance, proud of his capacity,” he added.
Wike: Orbih helped make me governor
Responding, Wike thanked the BoT members for the visit, describing Orbih’s death as a painful and irreparable loss.
The minister recalled the role Orbih played in his emergence as governor of Rivers State in 2015, saying the late PDP leader stood by him during a crisis within the Rivers chapter of the party.
“God used Dan Orbih to make me a governor. He was the Chairman of PDP in Edo State at that time and there was a crisis in Rivers State PDP. He chose to stand by the truth and that’s how I became governor,” Wike said.
He added: “It’s unfortunate that he died and there is nothing any of us can do about it.”
Wike thanked the delegation for identifying with him, saying Orbih’s death was also a loss to the PDP.
“Most importantly, the loss is also your loss because he was part of you,” he said.
Wike: I’ll remain in PDP
The FCT minister also reaffirmed his commitment to remaining in the PDP and working with other members to rebuild the opposition party.
On the 2027 elections, however, Wike reiterated his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, maintaining that backing the President should not prevent the PDP from fielding candidates for other elective positions.
“After supporting President Tinubu in 2023, it will be wrong of me to support another person to face him when he is seeking reelection, and I have made this clear before now,” Wike said.
“But that should not prevent the PDP from contesting elections at the subnational levels.”
Wike’s position reflects his repeated argument that support for Tinubu in the presidential election can coexist with PDP participation in governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly contests.
The BoT visit comes amid continuing disagreements within the PDP and wider political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
