The governors from the Peoples Democratic Party have strongly criticised Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, deeming his threats to be reckless and unwarranted.
The forum, through its Director-General Emmanuel Agbo, issued a statement on Tuesday denouncing Wike’s threat as utterly unacceptable.
The statement, “The attention of the Peoples 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 and notes the significant concerns that have been raised in the public space regarding the unity and peaceful coexistence within our party.
“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 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.”
