The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, issued a stern warning to governors on Saturday, cautioning them against any attempts to take over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Rivers State.
His remarks were made during the PDP’s state congress at the party’s Secretariat in Port Harcourt, as reported by Okay.ng.
Wike, a prominent figure in the PDP and former governor of Rivers State, vowed to retaliate against any governor who tries to interfere in the ongoing crisis within the party in the state. His comments come after PDP governors convened in Taraba State on August 23 to discuss the situation in Rivers, expressing their support for current Governor Sim Fubara.
During the meeting, a communique was read by the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, calling for a review of the party congress outcome to restore Fubara’s leadership role in Rivers State.
Condemning the call, Wike firmly rejected any external interference in the state’s affairs, warning that any governor who tries to meddle will face severe consequences.
“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,” Wike declared.
He continued, “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 further hinted at the motivations behind the interference, suggesting that financial gains might be influencing some governors’ actions. “Because I heard they got some money from a signature bonus, and so their heads are getting big that you will put a hand in my own state. Prepare because I have the capacity to also do the same thing in your own state,” he warned.
In a direct challenge to the governors, Wike added, “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.”
