April 03, (THEWILL) — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned political parties against blackmailing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging them instead to resolve internal crises and comply strictly with the legal framework guiding their operations.
Wike gave the warning during his monthly media chat held at his residence in Abuja, where he addressed developments within Nigeria’s political landscape and the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking against the backdrop of ongoing disputes in some political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the minister stressed that many of the crises confronting political organisations stem from their failure to follow due process.
He maintained that internal disagreements cannot override statutory provisions governing party activities, particularly those relating to congresses, conventions, and delegate eligibility.
According to him, “the problem with most of these parties is their refusal to comply with the law. You cannot ignore due process and then turn around to blame INEC for your internal problems.”
Wike emphasised that INEC operates strictly within the confines of the law and should not be pressured or dragged into partisan disputes.
“INEC does not act based on sentiments. Its decisions are guided by court judgments and statutory provisions. So, attempting to blackmail the commission will not solve any problem,” he said.
He cited instances where the electoral body exercised caution in implementing court rulings to avoid accusations of bias, noting that due legal processes must be allowed to run their full course.
Reflecting on past legal battles within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike recalled that the courts, including the Supreme Court, had consistently ruled that violations of due process could not be justified under the guise of internal party affairs.
He noted that in some cases, party decisions were invalidated due to the participation of unauthorised delegates and the failure of certain state chapters to conduct proper congresses.
The minister warned that political parties that fail to put their internal structures in order risk weakening their electoral prospects and credibility in Nigeria’s democratic system.
Amid these broader concerns, Wike declared that the protracted crisis that had rocked the PDP, has now been resolved, signalling a new phase of reconciliation and rebuilding within the party.
“As far as I’m concerned, the convention has come and gone. People are trooping in. I will say, the door is open. Yes, we have had a crisis. Now the crisis is over. Do we still have to shut our doors? No. Certainly not,” he stated.
The former Rivers State governor announced an open-door policy for former members seeking to return to the party, revealing that several defectors had already indicated interest in rejoining.
He described the evolving political atmosphere within the PDP as increasingly accommodating for those willing to contribute to the party’s progress.
The PDP has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis since 2025, with rival factions organising parallel conventions and contesting control of the party structure in court. However, Wike’s latest remarks suggest a turning point as the opposition party moves to close ranks and reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike also criticised the “do-or-die” mentality often associated with Nigerian politics, describing it as a major obstacle to reconciliation and unity.
“Politics is not a fight to finish. It’s like a game, like football. If you see it as a do-or-die, it becomes difficult to reconcile. For us, it’s not that way. We have had our differences, but if you’re really sincere, there’s nothing left. We can do it together and move the party forward,” he said.
The Minister further advised aspiring political office holders to prioritise grassroots engagement and sustained visibility, warning that political relevance is earned through hard work rather than titles.
“There’s no doubt that we have a lot of work to do, but what is important is that we have put the convention behind us,” he added.
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