Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (second left), Rivers State Governor, his deputy and Rivers West senatorial candidate, Ipalibo Harry-Banigo (second left); Rivers State PDP governorship candidate, Siminyalai Fubara (first left) and Senator Olaka Nwogu (first from right) at the flag-off rally of the Rivers State PDP campaign for Degema local government area in Degema town.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, is uncomfortable with what it described as the loss of political control in Rivers State.
In a statement, PDP spokesperson Ini Ememobong said comments made by Wike during a year-end media chat showed “clear signs of intimidation” over his stance in Rivers and his relationship with President Bola Tinubu.
“During the interview, Minister Wike showed clear signs of fear of losing the President’s attention and his slipping grip on Rivers State,” Ememobong said.
The statement comes after Rivers Governor Siminalai Fubara defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier this month.
The PDP said Wike opposed the move, which shifted the political structure of the state from the opposition party to the APC.
Last week, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who led the federal government delegation to Rivers State, told Fubara that President Tinubu was “very happy” with him.
Wike later criticized politicians visiting Rivers State to publicly engage the governor with the President, saying they were demanding access to public funds.
“Everybody who comes to Rivers State today has to say, ‘The President is happy with you,’ and they gather,” Wike said at a political gathering on Saturday.
The PDP said Wike's public support for Tinubu despite claiming membership of the party is anti-party activity.
“His repeated public declarations of loyalty to the APC-led government confirm the basis for the disciplinary actions taken against him,” Emembong said.
The party also accused Wike of fomenting internal crisis within the PDP over the years.
“Since 2015, Wike has been a recurring factor in the leadership crisis in the PDP,” the statement said.
The PDP said its national leadership is working to resolve internal disputes and reestablish the party ahead of future elections.
