Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has threatened to unleash hell on anyone who dares to take over the structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State from him.
Wike issued the threat while speaking during the party’s state congress held at the PDP Secretariat in Port Harcourt on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
The former Rivers Governor has been on a warpath with his successor, Governor Siminalyi Fubara, whom he helped to gain power in 2023.
The two politicians parted ways after a series of disagreements which sparked a political crisis in the oil-rich state. The ensuing crisis has negatively impacted governance in the state with a majority of lawmakers in the state assembly pitching their tent with Wike.
“Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give back to somebody, I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states.
“When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace – anything you see you take,” Wike said.
The minister, who singled out Bauchi governor, Bala Mohammed, promised sleepless nights to governors who leave their states to challenge him in Rivers State.
“Because I heard they got some money from signature bonus and so their heads are getting big that you will put hand in my own state. Prepare because I have the capacity to also do the same thing in your own state.
“Whether you are from Bauchi I don’t give a damn, whichever state you are from, as far as I know that you are trying to put yourself in Rivers State, your hand will get burnt and you will never sleep in your state,” he said.
Wike’s verbal onslaught comes days after the PDP governors met in Taraba State and weighed in on the crisis rocking the party in Rivers State in which the minister and the state governor are principal players.
The PDP governors’ forum had in a communique read by its Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed, on August 23, reiterated their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
They called for a review of the party congress outcome to restore Fubara’s leadership role in the state.
“The Forum notes the political impasse in Rivers State where court judgements are employed to determine the outcome of the party congresses.
“The PDP Governors’ Forum restates its stand with the Governor of Rivers State, and will engage the NWC of our great party to revisit the congress with a view to correcting the anomaly and allowing His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara to take his rightful leadership position of the party in the state,” the communique read in part.
The PDP in Rivers State has been in crisis following the fallout between Wike and his predecessor Fubara.
Governor Fubara was absent in the Saturday’s congress conducted at the party’s secretariat in Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
In attendance alongside the FCT minister were some serving and past lawmakers at both federal and state levels, former council chairmen, and other party faithful.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner and some other staff of the commission were also present to monitor the exercise.
