PDP governors back Fubara amid Wike threats
On Tuesday, the governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) harshly criticized Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in response to his threat to disrupt their states over their support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The PDP governors expressed their stance through a statement issued by Emmanuel Agbo, the Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum. The statement comes amid the ongoing political conflict between Wike and his successor, Fubara, with the PDP governors recently affirming their backing for Fubara’s leadership within the Rivers PDP.
In a recent address, Wike had warned PDP governors to distance themselves from Rivers State matters, threatening that he could incite unrest in their states if they did not comply. This provoked a strong response from the PDP governors.
The statement from the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Chairman Senator Bala Abdulkarim Mohamed, condemned Wike’s threats as reckless and unacceptable. It read, “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has noted with concern the recent threatening remarks made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against our member-governors. These threats to create turmoil in PDP-controlled states are not only irresponsible but also undermine the efforts to foster peace, unity, and mutual respect within our party. It is regrettable that such statements come from someone who was once part of this esteemed forum.”
The PDP governors reiterated their support for Fubara’s leadership in Rivers, stating that their position, as established in their meetings in Enugu and Taraba states, was firm and not subject to alteration by any individual, regardless of their status. They emphasized that their stance was meant to maintain order and prevent conflicts within the party, reflecting the same practices that benefited Wike during his tenure as governor.
The governors underscored their commitment to working with the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure that Governor Fubara receives all the rights and recognition due to him. They called on the NWC to address and resolve the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
The statement further urged all party members, including Wike, to focus on collective goals rather than personal grievances. It stressed the importance of dialogue and reconciliation, encouraging Wike to engage constructively with the party’s mechanisms for conflict resolution, such as the disciplinary and reconciliation committees recently established.
In a related development, Hassan Hyat, Chairman of the Kaduna State PDP, criticized Wike’s actions, describing them as “strange and unhelpful.” Hyat, a former Minister of Aviation, reminded Wike of the support he received from his fellow governors during his tenure and advised him to seek their backing rather than isolating himself from them. Hyat cautioned that undermining the party could ultimately harm everyone involved, highlighting the importance of preserving the integrity and unity of the PDP.
