Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, has firmly declared that he will not be leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite ongoing internal conflicts within the party. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday to mark his first year in office as FCT minister, Wike addressed persistent rumours about his potential departure from the PDP and rejected them decisively.
Wike’s comments come amid increasing speculation and criticism from various quarters, including prominent PDP members and political analysts. These concerns have been exacerbated by the party’s internal strife at both national and state levels, particularly in Rivers State, where Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have been at odds.
“I don’t back down from any fight. I will stay in the PDP and face whatever comes. Who do I have to run from? The vampires?” Wike stated, using the term “vampires” to describe those he feels are undermining his commitment to the party.
He elaborated, “Anyone who knows me knows that if I wanted to join the APC, I would do it openly. When I was in the PDP, I openly said I wouldn’t support their presidential candidate, and I stood by that.”
Wike’s remarks also address recent calls from Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), who suggested that Wike’s departure from the PDP might be necessary for the party’s survival. Clark had written an open letter to Umar Damagum, the acting national chairman of the PDP, urging him to take decisive action to resolve the internal conflicts and ensure the party’s stability.
In response, Wike criticized those questioning his loyalty and integrity. “People should be known for something. Integrity is crucial. Those who are talking are just scared of my presence,” he asserted.
The PDP has been grappling with internal divisions and leadership disputes. The party’s national level has seen power struggles, while the Rivers State chapter faces a bitter battle for control between Wike and Governor Fubara. These conflicts have led to accusations and counter-accusations, further complicating the party’s situation.
The current internal crisis in Rivers State has seen Wike and his successor engaged in a contentious struggle for political dominance. Wike has criticized the management of the state house of assembly, describing it as “impunity and madness” for a small number of lawmakers to constitute the assembly and pass state budgets.
“I have made it very clear that the Rivers house of assembly must work. You sit in your house and say three people will constitute an assembly. You say these people have defected; who pronounces defection?” Wike said.
