By Ibrahim Muhammad
The newly appointed chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, has reacted over the recent comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that no individual is bigger than the party or immune from discipline.
Turaki was reacting to Wike’s remarks following his suspension by the PDP, in which the former Rivers State governor said he would not allow anyone to drive him out of a party he claimed to have helped build.
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, Turaki referenced existing laws on suicide as a metaphor to caution against actions he said could undermine the party.
He argued that while anyone is free to attempt to destroy the PDP, the party would not stand by and allow it to happen.
Turaki recalled that Wike was among those who engineered the removal of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, a founding member of the PDP, not only from his position as national chairman but also from the party at the ward level.
According to him, if a founding member like Ayu could be removed, no individual, including Wike, could lay claim to permanent ownership of the party.
“When the PDP was formed, Dr. Ayu was one of its foundation members, yet he was removed,” Turaki said. “If someone who helped to build the house can be shown the door, then no occupant can claim absolute authority or immunity.”
He stressed that the PDP would not tolerate actions capable of destroying the party, warning that attempts to “kill” the PDP would be firmly resisted.
“Once you decide to kill this party, we will not allow it,” Turaki said, adding that, just as the law sanctions attempted suicide, the party would also take disciplinary measures against anyone found undermining its survival.
