Governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sharply criticized Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike on Tuesday. They condemned his threats to destabilise their states in retaliation for their support of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The criticism was detailed in a statement from Emmanuel Agbo, Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
As tensions escalate between Wike and his former ally Fubara, the PDP governors have rallied behind Fubara, urging him to lead the Rivers PDP. Wike, displeased by this support, had threatened last weekend in Port Harcourt to create chaos in the governors’ states if they didn’t withdraw their backing. In response, the PDP governors dismissed Wike’s threats as baseless.
“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, under the chairmanship of H.E. Senator Bala Abdulkarim Mohamed (CON) and Governor of Bauchi State and all the 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 and notes the significant concerns that has been 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 totally unacceptable as it undermines 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 PDP governors maintained their support for Fubara to take charge as the PDP leader in Rivers, noting that Wike enjoyed the same privilege when he was governor.
“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 are not subject to review by any individual no matter how highly-placed.
“We wish to emphasise 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 epitomised by the situation in Rivers State and guard against distracting the governor in the prosecution of his mandate. Wike benefitted wholly from that arrangement.”
The governors declared their “unwavering commitment” to collaborating with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State receives all the rights and privileges due to him as a governor elected under their party, at both state and national levels.
They emphasised the importance of the NWC taking appropriate action to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State.
It added “It is crucial for all party members, including Wike, to work together towards common goals rather than pursuing personal vendettas.
“The forum insists that it is incumbent on the National Working Committee of the PDP to invoke both official provisions and unofficial good offices platforms to find an amicable solution to the crisis in its Rivers State chapter.
“Similarly, if indeed the larger interests of Rivers State is their individual motivation, the warring parties should allow themselves to be guided by a spirit of give and take and eschewing, at all times, the incendiary posturing that inflames passions among their followers.
“It is inevitable for us to encourage dialogue and reconciliation continuously. The PDP has established mechanisms for addressing grievances and resolving conflicts, such as the recently constituted disciplinary and reconciliation committees; thus it is important for Wike to engage with these processes constructively, as dialogue and reconciliation are the pathways to resolving differences and strengthening the party.”
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