…Pledge support for Fubara, affirm commitment to party unity
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the recent threats made by Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, describing them as reckless and damaging to party unity.
This stern response follows Wike’s provocative remarks about destabilising PDP-controlled states.
In a sharp rebuke, the PDP Governors’ Forum has labelled the threats issued by Nyesom Wike as “unbridled” and “irresponsible,” following his recent declaration to undermine PDP-controlled states that challenge his political dominance.
On August 24, the Forum had expressed robust support for Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, urging the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to recognize him as the legitimate party leader in the state.
Reacting to this endorsement, Wike, during a speech at the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt, warned that he would take severe measures against PDP states that attempt to usurp his political structure.
“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. I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states,” Wike declared.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, in a statement issued by its Director General Emmanuel Agbo on Tuesday, condemned Wike’s remarks as detrimental to the party’s unity and peace.
The statement read, “The attention of the People’s Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) 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.”
Agbo further criticised Wike’s threats as a direct attack on the party’s efforts to foster unity and collaboration.
“The statements and threats to peaceful coexistence made by Wike to ‘Put fire’ in the PDP-controlled States are unbridled, irresponsible and without ambiguity unacceptable as it undermines efforts to build and maintain peace, cohesion, collaboration and mutual respect amongst leaders and members of the party,” he said.
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to party unity, stating that their position on the PDP’s affairs in Rivers State is resolute and not open to individual revision.
The statement emphasised, “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.”
The governors throw their dedication to supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara and ensuring he receives all due privileges as a PDP-elected governor. The Forum’s stance reflects a broader commitment to collective advancement and adherence to principles that have historically supported party cohesion.