The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister,Nyesom Wike has made it clear that he will not abandon the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite the party’s ongoing internal strife. During a media parley on Wednesday, marking his first year in office, Wike emphatically stated that he is prepared to stay and fight within the party, dismissing any speculation about a potential defection to the ruling APC.
Wike’s statement came in response to an open letter from Chief Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information, who accused Wike of leveraging his relationship with President Bola Tinubu to undermine Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the PDP. Clark urged the PDP National Chairman, Iliya Damagun, to expel Wike from the party.
But Wike, known for his tenacity, was unshaken. “I’ve told you that I won’t run away from any fight; I will stay, and we will fight it out,” he declared. He also took a swipe at other party figures, saying, “Atiku has his own people, and Bala is building people whom he considers would be president. There are many who are not yet known, playing ostrich.”
Wike stressed the importance of adhering to the law within the party, warning that no one could bring him down. “Even if you dislike this man, follow the law. It is not about plotting to bring Wike down; you cannot bring me down, and you don’t have what it takes to bring Wike down,” he asserted.
Wike also challenged the current structure of the PDP leadership, insisting that the party’s national chairman should be elected through a convention, not appointed. He questioned Chief Clark’s relevance to the PDP, saying, “I don’t know the party that Chief Clark belongs to; frankly speaking, since I joined the PDP, I’ve never seen him at any PDP meeting.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Wike recounted how Clark had opposed his gubernatorial ambitions in 2014, advocating instead for an Ijaw candidate. Despite Clark’s opposition, I went on to win the election, which he sees as a testament to his resolve and contribution to the PDP.
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Wike also responded to calls for an investigation into his actions, particularly concerning his support for a southern president. “Why should I be investigated? He (Clark) was one of those advocating for a southern president, and I supported the idea. So what exactly are you going to investigate me for?”
Wike concluded with a stern message to Rivers State Governor Fubara, who had called on President Tinubu to warn him if anything happened in Rivers. Wike questioned Fubara’s leadership credentials, stating, “Fubara, who has demanded that the president should warn me if anything happens in Rivers, is a person who aspires to lead a nation. Fubara lacks the conscience to even claim he can lead.”
As the PDP’s internal conflicts intensify, Wike’s fiery stance sets the stage for what could be a defining moment in the party’s future. The political landscape within the PDP is heavily unsettled and as Wike vow to stay and fight, it adds another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama.
