Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party to embark on an aggressive reconciliation drive to win back defected members and reassert the party as Nigeria’s leading opposition force.

Wike made the call during a courtesy visit to the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, where he met with the Abduraham Mohammed-led National Working Committee. He commended the leadership for resuming full operations at the secretariat following a court judgment ordering the police to vacate the premises, describing the development as a sign of renewed seriousness.

He pledged his loyalty to the NWC and promised moral and political support as the party rebuilds. According to him, internal crises had weakened the PDP, but experienced hands within the leadership structure were capable of steering the party back to prominence if they embraced hard work and sacrifice.

Wike insisted that the PDP remains the country’s main opposition party, dismissing claims by smaller parties that they now lead the opposition. He argued that no party can credibly claim that role without demonstrable electoral success, noting that some of those making such claims had failed to win even basic local council positions.

He challenged the NWC to design programmes that would restore the party’s popularity and reconnect it with disillusioned members. A key task, he said, was to actively reach out to those who left the PDP believing it had no future, assuring the leadership that many could be persuaded to return if properly engaged and given confidence about internal democracy and ticket allocation.

Wike expressed confidence that Nigerians would ultimately prefer the PDP to its rivals if the party presented a united, credible and organised front.

In his response, PDP National Chairman Abduraham Mohammed described Wike’s visit as a boost to the party’s rebuilding efforts. He said the new leadership team comprises capable men and women committed to repositioning the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mohammed promised that the NWC would not disappoint party supporters across the states and the Federal Capital Territory, vowing to provide full support to aspirants and candidates to secure electoral victories.

PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu also lauded Wike’s consistent backing, describing his contributions as vital to the party’s visibility and resilience in the current political climate.