Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, lambasted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his threat to destabilise their states for supporting the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The governors’ response was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Emmanuel Agbo.
As the political battle between Wike and his predecessor and estranged political godson, Fubara, rages, the PDP governors at their recent meeting declared support for Fubara, insisting that he should take control of the Rivers PDP.
Displeased by the governors’ intervention, Wike, speaking last weekend in Port Harcourt, warned the governors to stay out of the Rivers issues, warning that he could orchestrate crisis in their states if they would not desist.
However, replying him on Tuesday in the statement by Agbo, the PDP governors’ described Wike’s threat as empty.
“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 said they were “irrevocably committed” to working with the party’s National Working Committee “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.”
They stressed the need for the NWC to do the right thing and 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.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Kaduna State PDP, Hassan Hyat, has cautioned Wike against destroying the party he helped to build.
Hyat, a former Minister of Aviation, made the appeal in an interview with our correspondent in Kaduna on Tuesday, stating that Wike’s threat to PDP governors was “strange and unhelpful.”
“Wike should remember that when he was a governor, his colleagues always had his back and protected each other. Nothing has changed in that regard. Instead of telling governors to stay away, Wike should have seen it from this perspective and sought their support.
“I strongly believe it’s wrong to tell people to stay away when a system they are meant to benefit from is under threat. If the system fails, everyone loses. I don’t think it is right to say or do something that could lead to such an outcome,” Hyat said.
