Wike challenged the Kabiru Turaki-led group to substantiate its claim to party leadership by opening a PDP secretariat and bank account in Abuja, warning that any such move within the FCT would be shut down.

During a media chat, the former Rivers State governor accused the rival faction of fraud, disobedience to court rulings, and deliberate misinformation.

He said, “When will people stop being fraudulent? You cannot disobey court judgments and then turn around to deceive Nigerians that you have a legitimate structure. That is not how democracy works.”

Wike maintained that the group had no legal authority to run the affairs of the party, insisting they should prove their legitimacy.

“If they are sure they are the authentic leadership of the PDP, let them open an official PDP account and tell party members to pay nomination fees into it,” he said.

He directly challenged Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kabiru Turaki, saying, “Let Turaki open an account for the PDP. Let them announce it publicly… That day, you will see what will happen. He will lose his silk.”

Wike argued that no bank would proceed with such an arrangement without proper documentation and recognised party leadership.

On the idea of a parallel secretariat, he warned that he would not tolerate any unauthorised office operating in Abuja.

“I will not allow any breach of peace because my duty is to maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory,” he stated.

He also dismissed the caretaker arrangement being proposed by the faction, describing it as unlawful and contrary to court decisions, which he insisted already defined the legitimate leadership of the party.

Wike further criticised interpretations of Supreme Court rulings by the rival camp, accusing them of misrepresentation. He also faulted moves by the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees to establish an interim structure, calling it part of what he termed “illegality.”

He additionally accused Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara of reneging on agreements reached during a peace meeting mediated by President Bola Tinubu.

Wike also defended his actions on land administration in Abuja, particularly around Jabi Lake, saying they were necessary to enforce the city’s master plan and prevent long-term neglect of government property.

Makinde-Backed Faction Responds

In response, the PDP interim leadership aligned with Governor Seyi Makinde dismissed Wike’s remarks, insisting that its planned primaries and national convention would proceed without disruption.

In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the faction described Wike’s comments as inappropriate and politically motivated.

He said, “Nigerians today witnessed what can only be described as an unsolicited display of political rudeness, moral emptiness, crass opportunism, and post-defeat trauma.”

The group said it was not responding directly to Wike but addressing Nigerians over what it described as his past political influence.

“This statement is not a reply to his tirade… but an apology to Nigerians for having enabled a public figure whose conduct has become a national embarrassment,” Ememobong said.

The faction insisted that Wike could not determine the leadership of the party, adding that no such position as “National Leader” exists in its constitution.

It also confirmed that the sale of nomination forms had commenced and would continue as planned.

According to the group, the PDP continues to operate its official bank accounts, dismissing claims that financial institutions would be pressured to act otherwise.

On the legal dispute, the faction said it was awaiting certified court documents and maintained that no amount of pressure would stop the party’s processes.