The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to any governor attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.
Speaking at the PDP state congress in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike declared that he would create a political crisis in any state where such interference occurs.
“Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give 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,” Wike said.
He specifically targeted Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, asserting that any governor who attempts to challenge him in Rivers State will face severe consequences.
“Because I heard they got some money from signature bonus and so their heads are getting big that you will put hand in my own state. Prepare because I have the capacity to also do the same thing in your own state.” Wike added.
“Whether you are from Bauchi, I don’t give a damn, whichever state you are from, as far as I know, that you are trying to put yourself in Rivers State, your hand will get burnt, and you will never sleep in your state.”
“So I have told them. Now you have started. When I will start, don’t say I’m the one trying to destroy PDP. You are the one trying to destroy PDP. Allow Rivers State to conduct the affairs of the party,” he added.
This fiery statement follows a recent meeting of PDP governors in Taraba State, where the governors reiterated their support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a communiqué read by Chairman Bala Mohammed on August 23, the PDP Governors’ Forum called for a review of the party congress outcomes to restore Fubara’s leadership role in the state.
“The Forum notes the political impasse in Rivers State where court judgements are employed to determine the outcome of the party congresses.
“The PDP Governors’ Forum restates its stand with the Governor of Rivers State, and will engage the NWC of our great party to revisit the congress with a view to correcting the anomaly and allowing His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara to take his rightful leadership position of the party in the state,” the communiqué stated.
The crisis within the Rivers PDP stems from tensions between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was notably absent from the Congress.
The event in Port Harcourt saw attendance from both current and former lawmakers, council chairmen, and other party members, as well as the monitoring presence of INEC officials.
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