PDP Govs Reply Wike — Your Comments Irresponsible

• Insist no backing down on support for Gov Fubara

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Governors elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have taken a swipe at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, describing his recent comments on happenings in the party as “unacceptable and irresponsible”.

According to the PDP Governor’s Forum (PDP-GF); “Threats to peaceful co-existence 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.”

The Forum’s reaction is against the backdrop of the Minister and immediate past governor of Rivers State’s recent threat “to put fire in the state” of any governor who interferes in the internal politics of Rivers.

But in what some political commentators considered “waking up from their deep slumber”, the PDP-GF said; “It is rather unfortunate that this is coming from someone who was once a member of this highly revered forum as a former governor.”

Speaking through the Director General of PDP-GF, Dr Emmanuel Agbo, in Abuja on Tuesday, the governors maintained their resolve to ensure Governor Fubara remains the leader of the party in the state.

The Forum’s statement signed by Dr Agbo said; “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.”

Insisting 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”, the governors said; “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. 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.”

Forefront News recalled that the PDP Governors had after their recent meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State capital on August 23, 2024, declared support for the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the leader of the party in Rivers State.

Also, they promised to liaise with the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure the governor take his pride of place in the politics of the state.

However, this position by the Forum did not go down well with the FCT Minister who threatened to “pull down the PDP house” while addressing stakeholders at the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt during the party’s state congress.

He warned the PDP governors to stay clear of the party’s affairs in Rivers, vowing not to allow anyone take away from him the PDP’s structure in Rivers State.