The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has accused Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum chairman, Bala Mohammed of anti-party activities in the just concluded Rivers State Local Government Council elections.
He also defended his actions during the 2023 general elections in an interview on Channels TV on Tuesday, asserting he did not engage in anti-party activities but stood for “equity, fairness, and justice.”
He criticized fellow party members for their alleged hypocrisy, particularly regarding the support of the All Peoples Party in the just concluded Rivers State Local Government Council elections.
Wike’s leadership of the G-5 governors; Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) during the 2023 elections marked a significant crisis within the PDP, as they opposed Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy over perceived injustices, including the violation of zoning principles.
Despite accusations of undermining the party and supporting the All Progressive Congress presidential candidate President Bola Tinubu, Wike faced no penalties, raising concerns about party discipline.
The ongoing rift continues to impact the PDP’s structure and unity as factions vie for control ahead of upcoming elections.
He said, “I did not do anti-party, I stand for equity, fairness and justice. Today what happened? The governor (Siminalayi Fubara) is the one who sponsored APP. The chairman of Governors Forum, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, was the one who attended the swearing in of APP chairman, so what’s all the hullabaloo, what’s all the crying, Wike, Wike, Wike!
“I said ‘I am not going to support injustice and I have no apologies to render to anybody because in our party, the PDP party, this is what we’ve said that we’re going to do and getting to this period he (Atiku Abubakar) refused and I said ‘ok, if you refuse, i will also not agree to this’, and I have no regret at all at all.”