The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied receiving an invitation to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting he was unaware of the party’s planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking during a television interview, Wike maintained that as a member of the NEC, no formal notice had been served on him regarding the meeting or the upcoming convention. He argued that proper procedures must be followed, adding that any NEC gathering held without notifying him would be open to challenge.
However, a letter dated July 10, 2025, signed by PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and addressed directly to Wike, shows the minister was formally invited to the 101st NEC meeting. The document, which included the date, time, and venue of the session, was acknowledged by his office on July 18 with an official stamp and signature.
The NEC, which is the party’s highest decision-making body, had earlier approved Ibadan as the venue for the PDP national convention where new members of the National Working Committee will be elected. Its membership comprises serving and former presidents, vice-presidents, governors, lawmakers, founding members of the party, state chairpersons, and members of the Board of Trustees.
Wike, when asked if he would attend the convention or support a parallel gathering, said the question was premature since due process had not been observed in summoning the NEC. “If no notice of meeting has been served on me as a member of NEC, I have every right to challenge that, and no one can deny me my rights,” he said.
The emergence of the invitation letter directly contradicts Wike’s public claim, adding a fresh twist to the internal tensions within the PDP.