A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Tom FredFish, has called on party leaders to activate constitutional provisions and expel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from the party.
Dr. FredFish, who also serves as the Chairman of the PDP Advocate for Peace and Justice (PAPAJ), made the demand during a press briefing in Uyo on Wednesday. His comments came in response to Wike’s recent claim that no individual within the PDP has the authority to expel him.
The Akwa Ibom politician accused Wike of persistently working against the interests of the PDP and violating the party’s constitution and core principles. He argued that the minister’s actions amount to gross misconduct and disloyalty.
“If Mr. Wike says he is working hard for the party, the right question Nigerians should ask him is: what kind of hard work is that? Is it positive or destructive?” FredFish asked. “How can someone who openly opposed the PDP during the 2023 presidential election claim to be advancing the party’s interests?”
FredFish alleged that Wike, after losing the PDP presidential ticket, conspired with others to sabotage the party’s chances in the 2023 elections. He also accused the minister of orchestrating the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly—who are loyal to him—to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move he said was aimed at undermining PDP governance in Rivers State.
According to him, “Wike was politically positioned to destroy the PDP from within, and by all indications, he is executing that mission effectively. Party loyalists should not celebrate betrayal masked as political strategy.”
He further slammed Wike for consistently disrespecting senior PDP leaders, including a recent verbal attack on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. FredFish maintained that no individual has damaged the PDP’s reputation more than Wike.
The PAPAJ chairman urged key party figures—including the PDP Board of Trustees led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and other party stakeholders—to rally behind the National Working Committee (NWC) and enforce disciplinary action.
FredFish specifically called on the PDP leadership to invoke Sections 10(6), 57, and 58 of the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017) and proceed with Wike’s expulsion under Section 59.