Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has warned that any property being used as a secretariat by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki will be sealed off.
Wike issued the warning during a media parley with journalists on Wednesday, monitored live, stressing that actions by the faction amount to illegality and fraud.
The minister maintained that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has recognised Abdulrahman Mohammed as the legitimate chairman of the PDP, insisting that any parallel structure lacks legal backing.
According to Wike, the faction’s reported activities, including the sale of nomination forms, are unlawful and must be addressed through due process.
He explained that opening a bank account in the name of a political party requires proper documentation, including a certificate of incorporation, which he said is under the custody of the recognised party leadership.
“I’m there to help to support them, and I continue to support them. All I’m saying, which you don’t want to hear, which I want Nigerians to hear: Can they open an office, PDP Secretariat? Can they open an account and tell PDP members who want to buy forms, who want to contest elections, “Pay to this account. This is the account number. This is the bank”? First of all, that bank will be in trouble.”
He added, “And today, I tell you that the bank will be in trouble. To open an account, you must have the certificate of incorporation. Who has it? The Secretary of the party. So let me see the bank that will go and open an account. That bank will be in trouble. Then the person who wants to open that account, I’m praying for luck! Let [Turaki?], a Senior Advocate, put his name as a signatory and see whether he will not be derobed, or whether that silk will continue to answer “silk.” He will not. So that is that.”
Wike further warned that property owners who permit such activities risk sanctions, describing the alleged operations as fraudulent.
“People should not do something that they know you are defrauding Nigerians. And two, any house that allows them—because it’s fraud—you know the judgment, you know what’s on the ground, and I see… I will take that house,” Wike warns.
“PDP is not going to be… I’m anybody who knows me, knows… I’m not coming here for… I will seal it off! If it’s done, I will never allow any breach of the peace. You cannot. Because I’m here to maintain peace. Apart from being a PDP member, as FCT Minister, I obey this judgment of the court. You must obey it,” the Minister concluded.
The development reflects ongoing internal disputes within the PDP, as rival factions continue to contest leadership and control of party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
