PDP says Wike not above party as disciplinary committee issues summons 

• Party won’t dictate to panel on FCT minister, says Ologunagba
● CNG, Bauchi Speaker knock Wike, warn of consequences

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reportedly summoned Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, over alleged anti-party activities.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi made this known yesterday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily. Abdullahi stated that Wike had been summoned in a letter to appear before the Tom Ikimi-led disciplinary committee set up by the party’s National Working Committee.

He said: “Three weeks ago, we put two committees in place: one for reconciliation and one disciplinary. Nyesom Wike is one of the people who will face the disciplinary committee headed by elder statesman Chief Tom Ikimi.

“The disciplinary committee will look into issues of anti-party activities. We’ve been receiving petitions regarding anti-party activities or sabotaging the party throughout the primaries, leading to where we are now. These petitions against Wike and other party members have been aggregated and sent to the committee.

“Some party members even felt that Wike shouldn’t have gotten to this level still as a member of the PDP, and they have been writing to the leadership.”
Abdullahi said Wike’s statement about “putting fire in their states”, referring to PDP governors, is wrong and unacceptable.

“Wike should be able to manage his words carefully; that was a very disappointing remark. We weren’t expecting him to say that, and to be honest with you, we are not with him on that,” he said.

Abdullahi’s disclosure came two days after Wike, a PDP chieftain, expressed his satisfaction serving in the Bola Tinubu administration and issued threats against PDP governors supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.

Addressing party members on Saturday during the PDP congress in Port Harcourt, Wike threatened to “set fire” to the state of any PDP governor who tried to interfere in the party’s affairs in the Rivers.

The FCT minister also said anyone angry with his position in Tinubu’s government should go and hug a transformer.  He 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 it back to somebody.”

HOWEVER, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said yesterday that the party would not dictate to its disciplinary committee who to invite for interrogation.

He explained that, having been satisfactorily established by the National Executive Committee (NEC), the Tom Ikimi-led disciplinary committee is expected to work independently to achieve its mandate without interference.

Ologunagba clarified while reacting to reports that the party’s leadership had directed the disciplinary committee to invite Wike for questioning over remarks against the PDP Governors’ Forum.  He noted that the PDP is a well-structured party that strictly adheres to its rules, adding that no circumstance would make it abandon them.

According to Ologunagba, the party’s rules and constitution are supreme, and nobody is above the party “What I can tell you is that nobody is above this party. It is the Peoples Democratic Party. We have set up bodies (reconciliation and disciplinary committees) and mandated them to do the job. We will wait for their report,” Ologunagba said.

The spokesman maintained that the Governors’ Forum remains one of the party’s most potent organs and would respond to Wike’s threat.  He said the PDP has implicit confidence in the forum’s ability to continue stabilising the party and being the reference point for development in the country. Ologunagba added that he could not confirm if a summons had already been extended to Wike since he (the spokesman) is not a committee member.

MEANWHILE, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) condemned what it described as “disgraceful and thuggish” threats issued by Wike. It viewed Wike’s comments on live television as a disturbing reminder of the dangerous and unrefined attitude the minister has consistently displayed throughout his political career.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the CNG expressed shock and dismay that someone with such a notorious reputation holds a position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.

It said Wike’s behaviour is not only an insult to the people of Bauchi State but also a direct challenge to the peace and stability of Northern Nigeria.  The statement notes: “The CNG wishes to clarify that we do not take such threats lightly. No one has a monopoly on thuggery or intimidation. We are fully prepared to confront Wike and anyone who believes they can bully or destabilise our region.

“It is a tragedy for Nigeria that individuals with such a glaring lack of respect for the rule of law and civil discourse are appointed to high offices in our Federal Government. Wike’s actions have embarrassed the Tinubu administration and sullied the image of responsible governance.”

The coalition called on Tinubu to reconsider including such volatile and unrefined elements in his government. It added: “The Nigerian people deserve leaders who will work towards unity and stability, not those who threaten it with bandit-like tactics. The CNG remains steadfast in our commitment to defending Northern Nigeria against any form of aggression or intimidation, and we are ready to respond with equal force to any threat posed by Wike or his ilk.”

SIMILARLY, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Suleiman Abubakar, expressed concern over Wike’s statement threatening to incite political crises in states where governors were interfering in Rivers State’s political turmoil.

In a statement, Abubakar, the immediate past chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Speakers’ Forum, described Wike’s remarks as “reckless” and “unbecoming” of a leader.

He stressed that such rhetoric endangers the unity of the PDP and the stability of the entire nation.   He also called on the PDP leadership and the national security agencies to take immediate action to address ‘Wike’s excesses’.

Abubakar said: “The PDP was founded on democracy, mutual respect, and the rule of law. It is not the personal fiefdom of any individual, regardless of their past accomplishments or current position.

“Mr Wike’s attempt to use his influence as a tool of intimidation against other states within the federation is a gross misuse of power and a direct violation of the values upon which our party stands.

“As the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, I cannot remain silent in the face of such threats. Mr Wike’s audacious warning that Bauchi State could face political turmoil simply because we stand for what is right is unacceptable.”

“Moreover, Mr Wike’s continued public outbursts do a disservice to the PDP and betray the trust that the people of Rivers State and the broader Nigerian populace have placed in him. The National Security Adviser and the media are responsible for ensuring that individuals who make such inflammatory statements are held accountable. We cannot allow a situation where one man’s ego and thirst for power jeopardise the peace and unity of our nation.”

He added that Bauchi, like any other state, will not be intimidated by Wike’s threats of political turmoil while reaffirming the state’s commitment to upholding justice, peace and the rule of law. He insisted that any attempt to disrupt the peace of Bauchi State would be met with the full force of the law.