PDP Responds to Wike: “No Individual Can Destroy Our Party

In a stern rebuttal to recent comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, several prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have asserted that no single individual has the power to dismantle the party. This statement comes in response to Wike’s remarks during a PDP state congress in Port Harcourt, where he warned party governors to stay clear of the PDP’s affairs in Rivers State, threatening to “put fire in their states” if they interfered.

Wike’s comments follow the PDP Governors’ Forum’s call for a review of recent party congress results, a move aimed at restoring the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, a former ally of Wike’s, during their convention in Taraba State on August 23. The clash between Wike and Fubara has plunged Rivers State into political turmoil, splitting the state House of Assembly into two factions, each loyal to one of the leaders.

Despite attempts by President Bola Tinubu and other key figures to mediate, both sides remain entrenched in their positions.

In an interview, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, dismissed Wike’s threats, labeling them as mere personal opinions that do not pose a real danger to the party. “No single individual has the capacity to terminate the life of this party,” Abdullahi stated, emphasizing the PDP’s resilience over the past 25 years.

The Osun State chapter of the PDP also criticized Wike’s statements, calling them “reckless and irresponsible.” Oladele Olabamiji, the party’s Director of Media and Publicity in Osun, urged Wike to focus on his duties as a minister rather than threatening fellow PDP governors for supporting one of their own. He stressed that the PDP Governors Forum has the right to assist any member in need and that Wike’s actions were out of place.

Meanwhile, Sydney Gbara, Rivers State’s Commissioner for Environment, called on security agencies to investigate Wike’s comments, which he described as a potential threat to national security. Gbara accused Wike of giving false hope to his supporters, particularly defected lawmakers who have lost their seats, and warned that such inflammatory rhetoric could destabilize the country.

Despite the ongoing tensions, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri expressed optimism that the crisis within the party would soon be resolved, reaffirming the PDP’s role as Nigeria’s main opposition party.

Efforts to reach the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, for a response were unsuccessful, as he is currently abroad. However, his spokesperson indicated that the governor would address the issue at the appropriate time.

Similarly, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, clarified that Makinde was not involved in the recent discussions among PDP governors regarding the Rivers crisis, as he is currently on vacation overseas.