Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have told Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that his statement threatening to burn their states was irresponsible.
On Saturday during the Rivers State PDP factional Congress in Port Harcourt, Wike, the immediate past governor of the state, said he would “put fire” in states of PDP governors supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He specifically mentioned Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
The PDP governors met on Tuesday in Jalingo, Taraba State and described Wike’s threat as unbridled, reckless and unacceptable.
They also restated their support for Fubara, saying he remains PDP Leader in the oil-bearing state.
The governors promised to “engage the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to revisit the congress to correct the anomaly and allow Fubara to take his rightful leadership position of the party in the state”.
Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, signed the communique.
In the statement read by the Director General of PDP Governors’ Forum, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, the governors called on security agencies to take note of Wike’s threat.
The communique reads: “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 has 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 totally 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.
“The forum has always maintained ‘a touch one touch all’ philosophy and individually and collectively stand by and support each other, no matter the circumstances. 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, third and fourth 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.
“Our undiluted commitment to the unity of our party is paramount. The PDP has always been a party that values unity and collective progress. The recent actions of the governors, including their support for Governor Fubara, reflect their dedication to these values. It is crucial for all party members, including Wike, to work together towards common goals rather than pursuing personal vendettas.
“The forum insists that it is incumbent on the National Working Committee of the PDP to invoke both official provisions and unofficial good offices platforms to find an amicable solution to the crisis in its Rivers State chapter.
“Similarly, if, indeed, the larger interests of Rivers State is their individual motivation, the warring parties should allow themselves to be guided by a spirit of give and take and eschewing, at all times, the incendiary posturing that inflames passions among their followers.
“It is inevitable for us to encourage dialogue and reconciliation continuously. The PDP has established mechanisms for addressing grievances and resolving conflicts, such as the recently constituted disciplinary and reconciliation committees.
“Thus, it is important for Wike to engage with these processes constructively, as dialogue and reconciliation are the pathways to resolving differences and strengthening the party.”
The forum called on heads of national security apparatuses to take note of threats by Wike to stoke violence at the sub-national levels, as no one is above the laws of the land.
