The PDP Governors’ Forum concluded by emphasizing the importance of party unity, noting that their recent actions, including backing Fubara, are a testament to their dedication to the party’s collective advancement and cohesion.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has strongly criticized Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, over his recent threats directed at PDP-controlled states.
The Forum described Wike’s comments as “unbridled” and “irresponsible.”
The controversy stems from Wike’s reaction to the Forum’s support for current Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara. On August 24, the PDP Governors’ Forum publicly backed Fubara, urging the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to recognize him as the rightful leader of the party in Rivers State.
In response, Wike, during a visit to the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt, warned that he would not allow anyone to take control of the PDP structure in Rivers State from his political faction. He threatened to retaliate against any PDP governors who attempted to undermine his influence.
Wike stated, “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. When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace – anything you see, you take.”
In response, the PDP Governors’ Forum, through a statement issued by its Director General, Emmanuel Agbo, condemned Wike’s threats as unacceptable. The Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, expressed deep concern over the potential impact of Wike’s remarks on party unity and peaceful coexistence.
The statement from the Forum read, “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) under the chairmanship of H.E. Senator Bala Abdulkarim Mohammed (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. These statements and threats to peaceful coexistence made by Wike to ‘put fire’ in the PDP-controlled states are unbridled, irresponsible, and unequivocally unacceptable as they undermine efforts to build and maintain peace, cohesion, collaboration, and mutual respect among leaders and members of the party.”
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to supporting one another and emphasized that its position on the PDP’s affairs in Rivers State, as resolved in its meetings held in Enugu and Taraba States, stands firm and is not subject to review by any individual, regardless of their status.
The governors also underscored that their stance is not a personal attack on any party member but a collective decision aimed at ensuring unity and order within the party. They reiterated their full support for Governor Fubara and pledged to work closely with the PDP’s NWC to secure all the privileges due to him as a governor elected on the party’s platform.
The PDP Governors’ Forum concluded by emphasizing the importance of party unity, noting that their recent actions, including backing Fubara, are a testament to their dedication to the party’s collective advancement and cohesion.
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