The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) kept mum on the notification of appointment of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to the party’s National Working Committee (NEC) because the party was indifferent about the issue, a member of the NEC has said.

Ibrahim Abdullahi, a member of the NEC, told The Punch that Wike wrote a letter to the acting chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, before accepting the ministerial appointment from President Bola Tinubu.

In the letter, Wike informed Damagum that he would “answer President Tinubu’s clarion call” and requested approval.

However, the PDP did not respond to Wike’s letter, whether to confirm its approval for him to accept the appointment or for him not to take the position.

“We were indifferent,” Abdullahi said when asked why the party had kept mum after Wike’s clarification. “The letter was just to inform the party. You can tell from the wording in the letter that his mind was made up.”

Abdullahi also said that Wike’s letter was routed through the PDP Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, to Damagum.

Another member of the NEC, who pleaded anonymity, also confirmed that Wike wrote to the party leadership to inform them about his appointment.

“Wike wrote all those he listed, including Damagum,” the NEC member said. “They cannot deny it; they were all informed. He informed them that Tinubu wanted to form a government of national unity and competence, and he gave him a ministerial offer.”

The NEC member, however, said he could not tell if the party gave Wike approval or not. “I’m not aware, but to be honest, can any of these people tell him not to accept the offer?”

Wike’s appointment as FCT minister by the APC-led government had stirred up dust, with many people criticising him for betraying his party, the PDP. The former Rivers Governor worked against his party during the 2023 presidential election.