Former Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mark Jacob, has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for allegedly attempting to control the party’s internal affairs despite being absent from its key meetings.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Jacob pointed out that Wike had not attended any National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings in over a year, yet continued to wield political influence within the PDP.
“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,” Jacob said.
He stressed that the party’s ongoing restructuring would make it difficult for any individual, including Wike, to dominate decision-making without active participation.
“He has his interest, and he has his supporters scattered left and right in several positions, but 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,” Jacob added.
While acknowledging that Wike has the right to his political views, Jacob said such opinions do not automatically translate into party policy and would be subjected to scrutiny by PDP members.
“He is at liberty to take a position, but that position is going to be interrogated by members of the party. I want to see how he can force anybody to obey or comply with his opinion,” he said.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and current minister in President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led government, openly opposed the PDP during the 2023 general elections, backing the ruling party’s presidential candidate.
