By Deborah Nnamdi
The troubles are piling up for the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, whos a former Rivers State governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, as he faces calls for suspension from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Obio-Akpor wings of the party.
The Caretaker Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, called for Wike’s immediate suspension, just hours after the party disclosed that the former governor was facing disciplinary action.
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s programme that Wike had been summoned to appear before the Tom Ikimi-led PDP disciplinary committee set up by the party’s National Working Committee.
He said, “Three weeks ago, we put up two committees in place, that of reconciliation and disciplinary, and Nyesom Wike is one of the persons to face the disciplinary committee, which elder statesman Chief Tom Ikimi heads.”
“Some party members even felt that Wike shouldn’t have gotten to this level still as a member of the PDP and they have been writing to the leadership.”
Meanwhile, Ihunwo alleged that Wike’s actions since the 2023 elections have caused more harm than good to the party, prompting him to challenge the PDP’s National Working Committee(NWC) to take decisive action.
He challenged the NWC to do what was needed unless they had been bribed.
“When the BOT came to our State to see the Governor, I was expecting the BOT to take a stand in what is happening in the party, the man cannot sell the party for his gain. What Wike is doing is not in Nigeria’s interest for his interest.
“He did this same thing to gain as a Minister; he wants to gain in the 2027 presidential election. So, I want to appeal to the party to suspend him immediately because he is on a mission to destroy the party”.
Regarding the just concluded state congress of the PDP, the CTC chairman of Obio-Akpor, described it as efforts in futility, reminding everyone of the court order halting the process from the ward congress held some weeks ago.
“I want to describe that congress as a jamboree that cannot stand because the leader of the party in the state, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, was not part of that process, and there is a court order restraining the party from moving ahead with that congress.
In the eyes of the law, there was no congress in Rivers State. I want to advise our people, especially the supporters of the governor, to remain calm; we will follow them according to the law based on the court order.
“The man who wants to live up and down only came to test if he is on the ground, and it is obvious he has lost touch with the people. The congress was held in a small hall, as against the usual Obi Wali Conference center or any other place”, he said.
The State party’s Publicity Secretary, Kenneth Yowika, in a statement, described Ihunwo’s outburst as a desperate attempt to undermine the efforts of Wike, who has been instrumental in “reclaiming the party from scavengers” bent on destroying it.
The party insisted that Wike’s position on party matters has been consistent and that the recent congresses, supervised by INEC and the National Working Committee, have legitimized the party’s leadership structure.
“Truth and justice are not crimes,” the party declared, implying that Ihunwo’s call for Wike’s suspension is baseless and motivated by ulterior motives.
However, the party called on the Board of Trustees (BOT) to take immediate legal action against Chijioke Ihunwo for his “weighty allegation” that the BOT had sold the party.
The party described Ihunwo’s claim as “defamatory” and “unsubstantiated”, and reminded him that he lacks the moral authority to comment on the recent congresses, having not participated in any of them.
Ihunwo was also challenged to provide proof of his membership and revalidation in the PDP, amidst claims that he and his cohorts were never driven away from the party.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to following the Federal High Court order, which paved the way for peaceful congresses, and assured that its doors remain open to all members, including Ihunwo, who is welcome to return to the party he willingly abandoned.
