Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have condemned threats by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to “put fire” in the states whose governors support Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Also, the Northeast Unity Forum (NUF) has condemned the recent actions by Wike, describing it as “brazen political banditry.” The governors said: “The statements and threats to peaceful coexistence made by Wike to ‘put fire’ in the PDP-controlled states are unbridled, irresponsible and unacceptable, as it undermines the efforts to build and maintain peace, cohesion, collaboration and mutual respect among leaders and members of the party.”

Wike, while addressing his loyalists, last Saturday in Port Harcourt during the party’s Congress said: “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 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.”

In a statement by the Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), Emmanuel Agbo, the governors lamented that the threat came from a former member of the forum.

They called on the heads of security agencies to take note of Wike’s threats to stoke the fire of violence at the sub-nationals, as “no one is above the laws of the land.”

Insisting on their support for Fubara, the governors said they were irrevocably committed to working with the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP, in ensuring that Fubara “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.”

They, however, explained that their position was neither personal nor undermining the relevance of any stakeholder in the party.

“Rather, as loyal party faithful, members of the forum remain committed to that pristine practice intended to guarantee order, eliminate conflicting centres of loyalty epitomised by the situation in Rivers and guard against distracting the governor in the prosecution of his mandate. Wike benefitted wholly from that arrangement,” the noted.

The state chief executives advised Wike to take advantage of the disciplinary and reconciliation committees recently set up by the PDP to express his grievances.

CONVENER of NUF, Abubakar Kabir, stated, yesterday, that “Wike has lost touch with reality and has become a political outcast in Rivers following Fubara’s purge of him and the denial of access to state resources.

Kabir argues that Wike should reflect on his political missteps, betrayals, and the crises he instigated, which are rapidly diminishing his political relevance. He said: “Wike’s political history is marred by betrayal and disloyalty. He has shamelessly turned his back on his benefactors and political godfathers: Rotimi Amaechi, who elevated him from obscurity into mainstream politics of Rivers; Goodluck Jonathan, who appointed him as a minister and brought him to national prominence; and Patience Jonathan, who stood by him unwaveringly.”

“Wike’s actions are a blatant betrayal of those who helped him rise to power. His repeated anti-party activities, including his open support for candidates outside the PDP, have completely exposed his hypocrisy, violation of party loyalty, indiscipline and his narcissistic desperation for personal ambition over the collective good of the people and his party.”

NUF argues that his threats to “put fire in the states” of governors supporting Fubara are not only reckless but also a direct assault on the peace and stability of the country.

“His declaration that governors interfering in Rivers politics will never sleep in their states is a dangerous provocation that threatens the very fabric of our democracy and national stability. Such inflammatory rhetoric is unbecoming of a public official and cannot be tolerated.

“Therefore, we demand the immediate sack of Wike as the FCT Minister. His actions have demonstrated that he is unfit to hold any public office, let alone one as significant as the FCT Minister,” it stated.

Urging President Bola Tinubu to choose between upholding decency and the rule of law and aligning with a compromised politician, who seeks to create instability for personal gain, the forum called on PDP leadership to take decisive action against Wike to restore discipline within the party and uphold democratic principles.

Kabir added, “Nigeria’s democracy depends on our collective ability to reject such dangerous individuals and uphold the principles of justice, respect, restraint and integrity without giving characters that are charlatans a chance.”