BREAKING NEWS: Turaki Declares Wike’s Expulsion Final As PDP Opens Talks With Jonathan And Peter Obi
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has stated that despite the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his loyalists from the party, he still regards the former Rivers State Governor as a friend.
Turaki, speaking in an interview on the Nigeria Right Now Show hosted by Dickson Iregbu, also disclosed that the PDP has constituted a formidable legal team to reclaim the mandates of the 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who recently defected.
While stressing that he does not deny his friends, Turaki drew a firm line regarding Wike’s party status, noting that the decision of the party’s highest organ, the National Convention, is final.
He said: “For me, I honestly don’t like speaking about personalities. But the situation that we have found ourselves in now and relative to the question is such that I would have to take exceptions to that. Now, my friend and very good friend Barr Nyesom Wike…. He is my friend. I don’t deny my friends, he has been my colleague, he has been a very good friend but he is no longer a member of the PDP.”
He added that the expulsion can only be overturned by God, regretting that the expelled persons chose to “hallucinate and deceive others” over their exit.
“You can’t break the rules of the union and you continue to say you must be a member. Things are not done that way in a decent society. And PDP is a decent organisation,” he asserted.
Reacting to the mass defection of lawmakers in Rivers State, the Chairman confirmed the party’s immediate legal strategy to challenge the move.
He said: “We have raised a legal team to challenge the seat of the 16 members who defected last week in Rivers State.”
Regarding the defection of the Rivers and Osun State governors, Turaki admitted they have an “inalienable right” to leave the party but stressed the need for “moral considerations.”
He lamented that the PDP had done so much for them, adding that leaving the party with “ignominy and impunity” would make those in their new party “mindful of their character.”
Specifically addressing the crisis surrounding Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Turaki accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of instigating the problem by using a serving Minister to destabilize the PDP.
He, however, expressed regret that Governor Fubara eventually sought refuge in the same party that caused the crisis.
The party chairman stressed that the exit of governors will not affect the party’s overall strength, which he said is drawn from the people.
He acknowledged past mistakes, saying: “We have learnt our lessons. We have made mistakes… This is a new sheriff in town. We will take the party back to the people.”
Turaki also disclosed that the party has gone to court to seek the reopening of the PDP’s sealed national secretariat.
On speculations regarding the 2027 presidential ticket and the possible return of former President Goodluck Jonathan or Peter Obi, Turaki maintained that the decision would be left to the people, though he confirmed he remains in touch with both leaders.