GOVERNORS affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, yesterday for threatening to destabilize their states in response to their support for Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The governors’ reaction was delivered in a statement by Emmanuel Agbo, the Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
As tensions escalate between Wike and Fubara, his former political protégé, the PDP governors recently convened and expressed their backing for Fubara, asserting his right to lead the Rivers PDP.
Wike, expressing displeasure with the governors’ involvement, warned them last weekend in Port Harcourt to avoid interfering in Rivers matters, threatening potential turmoil in their states if they continued.
In their official response yesterday, Agbo stated that the PDP governors viewed Wike’s threats as hollow.
“We, the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of H.E. Senator Bala Abdulkarim Mohamed (CON), Governor of Bauchi State, are compelled to respond to widely circulated remarks made by Minister Nyesom Wike, criticizing member-governors of our forum. We acknowledge the public concerns regarding our unity and peaceful coexistence.
“Wike’s comments and threats to instigate chaos in PDP-controlled states are reckless, irresponsible, and unequivocally unacceptable, undermining our efforts to foster peace, collaboration, and mutual respect within the party. It is particularly unfortunate to hear such words from someone who was formerly a distinguished member of this forum.”
The PDP governors reaffirmed their support for Fubara’s leadership in Rivers, highlighting that Wike had enjoyed similar privileges during his time as governor.
“Our stance on the internal affairs of the PDP in Rivers, as unanimously resolved in our 2024 meetings in Enugu and Taraba, is not subject to change by any individual, regardless of their position.
“We wish to clarify that our forum’s position is neither personal nor does it diminish any stakeholder’s relevance. As devoted party members, we are committed to upholding practices that ensure order, prevent conflicting loyalties—as seen in Rivers—and support the governor in fulfilling his mandate. Wike benefitted from this very arrangement.”
The governors declared their unwavering commitment to collaborating with the party’s National Working Committee to ensure that Governor Siminalayi Fubara receives the privileges entitled to him as a PDP-elected governor at both state and national levels.
They emphasized the urgent need for the NWC to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State.
“It is essential for all party members, including Wike, to collaborate towards shared objectives rather than pursuing personal grievances.
“The forum insists that it is the responsibility of the PDP’s National Working Committee to utilize both official and unofficial channels to reach a peaceful resolution to the crisis within the Rivers State chapter.
“If the broader interests of Rivers State are the motivation for those involved, they must adopt an attitude of compromise while refraining from inflammatory rhetoric that incites their supporters.
“Encouraging ongoing dialogue and reconciliation is crucial. The PDP has established mechanisms for addressing grievances, including newly formed disciplinary and reconciliation committees; thus, it is vital for Wike to engage constructively in these processes, as dialogue and reconciliation are key to resolving differences and strengthening the party.”
In a related note, the Chairman of the Kaduna State PDP, Hassan Hyat, urged Wike to refrain from damaging the party he helped to establish.
Hyat, a former Minister of Aviation, expressed this sentiment yesterday during an interview in Kaduna, stating that Wike’s threats towards PDP governors were “unusual and counterproductive.”
“Wike should remember that during his tenure as governor, his colleagues consistently supported and protected one another. Nothing has changed in that regard. Instead of asking governors to withdraw, Wike should have considered this perspective and sought their backing.
“I firmly believe it is misguided to instruct others to stay away when the system they rely on is under threat. If the system fails, everyone suffers. It is not right to promote actions that could lead to that outcome,” Hyat commented.