Wike’s threat against PDP unbridled, irresponsible — Govs’ Forum

The governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have condemned former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for what they described as “unbridled and irresponsible” threats against the party.

On August 24, the PDP Governors’ Forum expressed their support for Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to recognize him as the rightful leader of the party in the state.

In response, Wike, speaking at the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt over the weekend, warned of taking “firm action” against PDP-controlled states that challenge his political structure in Rivers State.

He declared, “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us.

But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give it back to somebody.

I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states. When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace — anything you see, you take.”

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In a swift reaction, the PDP Governors’ Forum, in a statement released by its Director General, Emmanuel Agbo, on Tuesday, denounced Wike’s threats as completely unacceptable.

The statement read in part: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) under the chairmanship of H.E. Senator Bala Abdulkarim Mohamed (CON), Governor of Bauchi State, and all member-Governors has been drawn to a widely circulating news story in which the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, H.E. Barrister Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State, made scathing and threatening comments regarding member-Governors of the Forum. It is noted that there are significant concerns raised in the public space regarding the unity and peaceful coexistence within our party.”

“The statements and threats to peaceful coexistence made by Wike to ‘put fire’ in the PDP-controlled States are unbridled, irresponsible, and, without ambiguity, unacceptable as they undermine efforts to build and maintain peace, cohesion, collaboration, and mutual respect amongst leaders and members of the party. It is rather unfortunate that this is coming from someone who was once a member of this highly revered forum as a former governor.”

The forum reiterated its commitment to a “touch one, touch all” approach, pledging to support one another both individually and collectively, regardless of the circumstances.

The statement continued, “A tradition Wike tremendously enjoyed in his days of travail as governor. Thus, we maintain that our position on the affairs of the PDP in Rivers State, as unanimously resolved at our 2024, 3rd, and 4th Meetings held in Enugu and Taraba States respectively, is not subject to review by any individual, no matter how highly placed.

“We wish to emphasis that neither is the position of the Forum personal nor does it, by any stretch of the imagination, undermine the relevance of any stakeholder in the party. Rather, as loyal party faithful, members of the Forum remain committed to that pristine practice that was intended to guarantee order, eliminate conflicting centres of loyalty epitomize by the situation in Rivers State, and guard against distracting the Governor in the prosecution of his mandate. Wike benefited wholly from that arrangement.

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“We are irrevocably committed to working with the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the PDP, in ensuring that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is conferred with all the privileges he is entitled to as a Governor elected on the platform of our party, both at the state and national levels.”

The governors said that their unwavering commitment to party unity is of utmost importance, noting that the PDP has always prioritized unity and collective advancement.

The PDP Governors’ Forum stated that their recent actions, including their support for Governor Fubara, demonstrate their dedication to these principles.