- Minister Nyesom Wike warns PDP governors against interfering in Rivers politics, threatening to “put fire” in their states if they do
- PDP governors describe Wike’s threats as “unbridled” and “irresponsible,” calling for unity and cooperation within the party amid ongoing tensions
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been in the news this week for issuing a warning to governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over their alleged interference in the party’s affairs in Rivers State. Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have conflicted control over the party in the state.
Wike’s anger was directed at PDP governors who have expressed their support for Governor Fubara. After voting at the Rivers PDP State Congress in Port Harcourt, Wike warned the PDP governors against meddling in Rivers State politics, threatening to “put fire” in their states.
He stated: “Some governors say they will take the structure from us and give it to somebody. I hear that they have assured them that they will take the party from us. 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. Whether you are in Bauchi or wherever your hands will get burnt. You will never see peace again.”
In their response, the governors described Wike’s threats as “unbridled, irresponsible, and unacceptable.”
Chief Edwin Clark, a leader of the Ijaw nation, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest Wike for threatening to set fire to states governed by PDP members.
Meanwhile, the Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has summoned Wike over alleged anti-party activities. In an interview on Monday, the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed that the disciplinary committee had written a letter inviting Wike to appear before it over his recent comments about the party.