PDP Governors Stand Firm Against Wike’s Threats, Back Fubara as Rivers Party Leader

Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have strongly condemned the recent threats made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following their support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The tensions between Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, and his successor, Fubara, have escalated into a political battle, with the PDP governors rallying behind Fubara and insisting that he remains the leader of the PDP in Rivers State.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Emmanuel Agbo, the governors dismissed Wike’s threats as “irresponsible” and “unacceptable.” Wike had warned the governors to stay out of Rivers State’s political affairs, threatening to create crises in their states if they continued to support Fubara.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, under the chairmanship of H.E. Senator Bala Abdulkarim Mohamed (CON), has been drawn to scathing and threatening comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, H.E. Barrister Nyesom Wike.

“Wike’s threats to ‘put fire’ in PDP-controlled states are unbridled, irresponsible, and totally unacceptable. It undermines efforts to build and maintain peace, cohesion, collaboration, and mutual respect among leaders and members of our party.”

The PDP governors reiterated their unanimous support for Fubara, asserting that the leadership of the party in Rivers State should naturally fall under the current governor’s control, a privilege Wike himself enjoyed during his tenure.

“Our position on the affairs of the PDP in Rivers State, as unanimously resolved at our meetings in Enugu and Taraba, are not subject to review by any individual, no matter how highly-placed,” the governors stated.

They emphasized that their stance is not personal but rooted in the party’s tradition of ensuring order and eliminating conflicting centers of loyalty within states. “Wike benefitted wholly from that arrangement, and it is only right that Governor Fubara enjoys the same,” the statement continued.

The governors also expressed their commitment to working closely with the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure that Fubara is accorded all the privileges due to him as a PDP-elected governor. They urged the NWC to take necessary steps to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, emphasizing the importance of unity within the party.

The governors stressed, “It is crucial for all party members, including Wike, to work together towards common goals rather than pursuing personal vendettas.

“Dialogue and reconciliation are the pathways to resolving differences and strengthening the party.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Kaduna State PDP, Hassan Hyat, also weighed in on the issue, cautioning Wike against actions that could harm the party. In an interview on Tuesday, Hyat, a former Minister of Aviation, described Wike’s threats as “strange and unhelpful.”

Hyat said, “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 sought their support. If the system fails, everyone loses. It’s wrong to say or do something that could lead to such an outcome.”

The ongoing conflict between Wike and Fubara has raised concerns about the unity and stability of the PDP in Rivers State, with many party members calling for a resolution that will prevent further division. The PDP governors have made it clear that they stand with Fubara, urging all parties involved to prioritize the party’s overall well-being and work towards a peaceful resolution.