PDP govs says Wike’s threat against them is ‘unbridled, irresponsible’

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Partyon Tuesday knocked a former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.

They said the threat against them by Wike, presently the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, “is unbridled and irresponsible.”

On August 24, the PDP Governors’ Forum expressed support for Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and called on the party’s NWC to grant him his “rightful” position as the leader of the party in the state.

In response, Wike announced over the weekend at the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt that he would take firm action against PDP-controlled states that threatened his political structure in the River State.

But the governors in a statement bythe Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, Emmanuel Agbo on Tuesday, saus Wike’s threat was completely unacceptable.

“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. It is rather unfortunate that this is coming from someone who was once a member of this highly revered forum as a former governor,” a statement by the Forum read partly.

The forum emphasized its commitment to a “touch one, touch all” approach, pledging to support one another both individually and collectively, regardless of the circumstances.

“A tradition Wike tremendously enjoyed in his days of travail as governor. Thus, we, therefore, 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.

“We are irrevocably committed to working with the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the PDP, 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,” the statement added.