George Turnah affirms Wike as PDP national leader, urging respect for internal democracy and party unity ahead of future elections.
George Turnah, Secretary of the South-South zone of the Peoples Democratic Party, confirmed Nyesom Wike, Federal Capital Territory Minister, as a national leader of the party during a live broadcast on The Morning Brief on Channels Television.
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Turnah defended Wike amid ongoing internal debates, emphasising the importance of democratic principles and party unity.
Turnah stated that Wike does not lead a faction but occupies a national leadership position within the PDP.
He underscored that Wike retains the right to make personal political choices, including his support for President Bola Tinubu, without overriding the autonomy of other party members.
Highlighting the 2023 general elections, Turnah recalled that even within the G5 governors, which Wike led, the former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, independently supported a different candidate.
This, he said, demonstrated the PDP’s commitment to internal democracy and the protection of individual choice.
Turnah warned that attempts to penalise members over alignment with Wike could undermine party cohesion and electoral prospects.
He called on party officials to focus on strategic planning, mobilisation, and issue-based politics rather than internal squabbles or disputes over leadership positions.
“Decisions of this nature must be guided by political calculations and electoral realities, not sentiment,” Turnah said, describing Wike’s leadership as essential for party stability and effective governance.
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The affirmation of Wike as PDP national leader is seen as a decisive move to reinforce party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections, signalling that senior figures’ strategic roles will be respected while encouraging constructive engagement across all party levels.
