Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticized Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, for instructing the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, to resume duties at the national secretariat.
Speaking on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Arterial Road N20 interchange bridge in Abuja, Wike argued that Damagum had no authority to issue such an order.
“I saw it on national television where the acting national chairman ordered the national secretary to resume.
He is not your appointee. He has been carrying out his duties and will continue to do so.
You can’t suddenly ask him to resume just to cover up the illegalities you’re involved in,” Wike stated.
The minister also criticized the PDP’s recent visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling it an embarrassing move driven by ignorance of the law.
“A political party going to INEC for guidance on what to do is shameful. If that happened because of your ignorance, then that’s unfortunate.
The law does not excuse ignorance,” he added.
Wike urged party leaders to seek proper counsel and avoid being influenced by ego or financial benefits.
“Let go of ego and monthly allocations. If you want to learn how to manage these matters, come to those who know how it’s done.”
The controversy follows the PDP’s reversal of its earlier position on Anyanwu after a meeting with INEC.
The party suspended its planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting originally scheduled for June 30 and instead reinstated Anyanwu into the National Working Committee.
Damagum described the decision as difficult but widely accepted, and announced that an expanded National Caucus meeting will now be held on June 30 in place of the NEC gathering.