The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning, threatening to incite political crises in any state whose governor attempts to interfere in the affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. Wike made this declaration on Saturday at the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt, during the party’s state congress.
Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, made it clear that he would not allow any external influence to take control of the PDP’s structure in his state. “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us,” he asserted. “I have heard some governors say they will take over the structure and hand it over to someone else. I pity those governors because I will set their states on fire.”
He continued with a warning to his political adversaries: “When God has given you peace, and you choose to reject it, you must accept whatever consequences come your way.”
Wike specifically called out the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, and other governors who he claims are attempting to challenge his authority in Rivers State. He warned, “I heard they received some money from a signature bonus, and now they think they can come to my state. Prepare yourselves, because I have the capacity to create unrest in your states as well.”
“Whether you are from Bauchi or any other state, if you dare to interfere in Rivers State, you will get burned, and I promise you will not have peace in your own state,” Wike added, further emphasizing his readiness to retaliate against any interference.
His fiery remarks follow a recent meeting of PDP governors in Taraba State, where the forum discussed the escalating tensions within the party in Rivers State. In a communique read by its Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, on August 23, the PDP governors’ forum reaffirmed their support for Siminalayi Fubara, the current Governor of Rivers State.
Wike’s statements are seen as a direct response to the ongoing political maneuverings within the PDP and a clear indication that he is prepared to go to great lengths to maintain control over the party’s structure in Rivers State.
