Gov Diri won’t dignify Wike’s outburst – Aide
By Tapre Timine, Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has chosen not to respond to the verbal attacks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during a media chat on Wednesday.
Governor Diri’s Chief Press Secretary/Media Aide, Daniel Alabrah, in a statement on Wednesday, said the Bayelsa governor will not engage in an exchange of words with Wike, whom he described as lacking wisdom.
The statement read:”Some persons, particularly our Ijaw kinsmen, have asked that the governor respond to the hypocritical tantrums of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. But Governor Douye Diri has elected not to. The reason is simple: if you join issues with a man lacking wisdom, people might think you are equally foolish.”
Alabrah described Diri as a refined leader who has brought dignity to governance, adding that the governor is known for his humility and does not indulge in unnecessary political fights.
Rather than personally responding, the aide noted that Ijaw socio-cultural organizations would address Wike’s remarks, as the issue goes beyond Governor Diri and concerns the entire Ijaw nation.
He linked Wike’s attack to Governor Diri’s opposition to the controversial February 22 PDP South-South Zonal Congress held in Calabar, Cross River State.
The statement reads partly, “As chairman of the South-South PDP Governors Forum, Governor Diri openly rejected the kangaroo congress, describing it as a sham and a non-event. No governor, state chairman, or key stakeholder was present, yet Wike pushed ahead with it. He sees Diri’s stance as an affront.”
“Gradually, the chicks are coming home to roost for Wike. It is only a matter of time before his fate within the party is sealed.”
According to the aide, Wike’s plan was to destabilize the PDP in the South-South, a region where the party has its strongest roots.
However, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) later sided with Diri and other governors, leading to the cancellation of Wike’s congress and the appointment of a caretaker committee that will be inaugurated in Abuja.
