PDP-SM To Wike: Your Failed Ambition Driving You To Political Oblivion

…Says, freedom of expression has limit

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Salvation Movement has frowned at what it described as the brazen attempt by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to denigrate members of the Party as a result of their refusal to be cowed into submission to do his bidding.

It stressed that playing to the gallery and trading insults, is an attribute of small minds and disgruntled elements whose frustration is further fueled by failed ambitions.

The group which stated these while reacting to recent verbal attacks by Governor Wike, noted that while it understood that such attacks were as a result of his failed presidential and vice presidential bids, it however noted that his daily verbal onslaught against critical stakeholders of the PDP across the country were rather arrogant and unacceptable.

These were contained in a statement signed by Imam A. Lawal and Umar Farouk, chairman and Secretary respectively in which they said that while Wike has the right to freedom of expression, he must however be made to understand that such rights have limits and should not be used to attack leaders of the party as a result of his failure to clinch the presidential and vice presidential ticket of the PDP.

The PDP Salvation Movement said that it is satisfied that the party’s fortunes in the 2023 general elections remains very bright, adding that it is also satisfied that the Atiku/Okowa ticket is not only waxing stronger but the only vehicle to rescue, recover and reset Nigeria towards peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

It however expressed concern over what it described as the “verbal vituperation” evidently coming from the mouth of the outgoing governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike against the former National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus.

The group further said; “Ordinarily we will have dismissed such comments as mere internal discontent arising from his failed Presidential as well as Vice Presidential bid which had taken him on a voyage of political self-destruction through his daily verbal onslaught against critical stakeholders of the party across the country.

“While we note that he has his rights to freely express himself in a democratic manner, we however frown at his attempts to denigrate members of our party for the simple reason that they have refused to be cowed into submission to do his bidding.

“His Excellency Celestine Omehia, Senator Lee Maeba, Rt Hon Austin Okpara, Senator George Thompson Sekibo and Dr Abiye Precious Samuel Sekibo are at liberty to make their choices without let or hindrance from any quarters. Their decision to pitch tent with Atiku has placed them at daggers drawn with the Governor.

“To monopolize and appropriate Rivers votes to a candidate of his choice and in furtherance of his vindictiveness, he prepared and signed a fraudulent and obnoxious Executive Order 22 deliberately targeting the Atiku/Okowa ticket. It is aimed at denying them the opportunity to campaign in Rivers state.

“His claim that Uche Secondus is no more a member of the party is maliciously false and misleading. Using the instruments of a vacation judge who through an exparte order granted a request which the NJC viewed as not been urgent has ultimately incurred the wrath and sanction of the National Judicial Council (NJC), he manipulated the judges across the ladder using his most treasured instrument of intimidation against his perceived or imaginary political opponents which is financial inducements as a means of extracting a compromise.

“In all the processes leading to the Supreme Court, the substantive matter is yet to be determined, the Appeal Court only adjudicated on whether or not the National convention should hold and not the eligibility or competence of his appeal to act as the National Chairman.

“The Governor not long ago granted an interview where he was reported to have said that Secondus had to give way to his failed Presidential ambition and that he was not guilty of any offense as charged (as paraphrased). To make a case out of nothing and claim credit for a misfortune orchestrated by the comedian in chief himself is definitely gibberish elevated to statecraft.

“Immediately after his victory in the 2015 gubernatorial elections and in his thanksgiving service in church, Wike said that he owes a world of gratitude and can only attribute his victory for becoming a Governor to God and Uche Secondus.

“It was Secondus who midwifed his ascension to being a Minister of the Federal Republic. Anyone in doubt is at liberty to fact-check these assertions. It is manifestly clear that Secondus has risen to the pinnacle of his chosen endeavors. While he was the state chairman of the PDP a position he served meritoriously for nine years unblemished while Wike was a Local Government chairman.

Secondus deserves commendation rather than condemnation from any quarters. He has been a witness to so many unfulfilled or reneged political agreements by Wike and if he denies it, Secondus only needs his consent to spill the beans.

“He is not held hostage by three spirits of power, alcoholism and money. Neither had he ever refunded any money to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It is Hon Rotimi Amaechi, who said that Wike has no capacity to construct a flawless sentence in English and that the only thing he worships is money. Secondus interpretation of Wike’s opinion is a matter of semantics. His argument is lucid and on point.

“As a lawyer, Wike, who captured the scenario adequately as pending should appreciate that Secondus filed the suit as a bona fide member of the party and praying the court to nullify such frivolous allegations. Chapter 10 of the PDP constitution under Disciplinary Procedure especially section 57(7) which reads in part thus “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly.

“Provided that nothing in this Constitution shall preclude or invalidate any complaint submitted through the National Working Committee to the National Executive Committee concerning any person whatsoever,” the PDP Salvation Movement said.