December 7, 2024

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Wike: Disciplinary Committee A Hoax, Says PDP Chieftain

4 min read
  • PDP Govs Want Wike Quizzed

The disciplinary committee set up by the PDP national working committee to probe the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike will not yield any tangible result, says an ex-officio member of the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC.

The party leader who hails from the southern part of the country told TNN in confidence that the committee headed by Tom Ikimi can only bark but will not be able to bite Wike.

In the interview, the PDP chieftain who did not want his identity to be disclosed said as long as the committee was set up by the acting national chairman of the party believed to be loyal to Wike, it would be difficult for anything to happen to the minister.

Saying that only the Bukola Saraki committee which was set up by the party’s NEC in April this year could have the courage to discipline the minister, the chieftain lamented that the Saraki committee was not allowed to function because of what he called vested interest of those who did not wish the party well.

His comments came a few hours before governors elected on the platform of the PDP bared their mind on last week’s comments by Wike, in which he threatened to set fire on their states if they insisted on handing over the PDP structure in Rivers State to Sim Fubara, the state governor.

In a statement on Tuesday by Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, director-general of the PDP governor’s forum, the governors pilloried Wike for the utterances and said his utterances were a serious threat to the peace, cohesion and mutual respect among members of the party.

TNN learnt that the governors have become united in the push for recognition of Fubara as leader of the party in Rivers State, a decision that does not sit well with Wike.  

“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, 3rd and 4th Meetings held in Enugu and Taraba States respectively are not subject to review by any individual no matter how highly placed.

“We wish to emphasize 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 governors urged security agencies to take note of Wike’s threats and do the needful, noting that nobody was above the law.

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