“Even President Tinubu knows that Nigeria cannot be a one-party state”, former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, declared on Monday during a gathering of key stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja. The meeting, convened by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, brought together influential figures under the aegis of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP,” as they sought to address the party’s internal challenges and reaffirm its relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Wike, a member of the G-5 Governors and a central figure in the meeting, emphasized that the survival of the PDP depends on genuine commitment from its members, not mere media rhetoric. “All of you here are those who are committed to the survival of our party,” he said. He maintained that the G5 Governors’ controversial decisions helped stabilize the country, asserting that respecting the constitution—both of the party and the nation—is non-negotiable for any opposition party.
Ortom, echoing Wike’s sentiment, lauded the FCT Minister’s contributions to the PDP, insisting that no one has done more for the party. He pointed to Wike’s federal appointment as evidence that the ruling APC recognizes the necessity of a balanced political landscape.
Other notable attendees included former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Senate Minority Leader Philip Aduda, and several serving and former lawmakers, alongside zonal and state executives.
The meeting served as a platform for the concerned stakeholders to call for unity, accountability, and a renewed commitment to rebuilding the PDP as a viable opposition force in Nigeria.