The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the internal storm rocking the party has subsided, announcing an open-door policy for former members seeking a return.

Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike likened politics to a game of football rather than a “fight to finish”.

He urged aggrieved politicians to set aside personal differences for the sake of the party’s progress.

Addressing the fallout from the party’s recent national convention, the former Rivers State governor stated that the time for internal bickering had passed, stressing that the party was now focused on reconciliation and rebuilding its ranks.

“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 crisis. Now the crisis is over. Do we still have to shut our doors? No. Certainly not,” Wike said.

The minister revealed that several members who had previously dumped the PDP had already signalled their intention to return, noting that the political environment was becoming increasingly acceptable for those ready to do the work.

Wike also took a swipe at the do-or-die mentality often associated with Nigerian politics, suggesting that such an approach made reconciliation impossible.

He framed the party’s recent struggles as a misunderstanding of intentions rather than a permanent fracture.

“Politics is not a fight to finish. It’s like a game, like a 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.

Sending a message to aspiring candidates, Wike warned that political relevance was earned through visibility and hard work, not title alone.

He hinted that those who remained on the sidelines would not be recognised as serious contenders in future polls.

“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.

PUNCH Online reports that the PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since 2025, with rival factions holding separate conventions and fighting for control of the party in court.

This has stoked fears about the opposition’s unity ahead of the 2027 elections. (The PUNCH)

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