The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has summoned Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to appear before its Disciplinary Committee.
The summons comes in response to allegations of anti-party activities, specifically concerning Wike’s recent threats against governors from PDP-controlled states.
Although didn’t mention the governors by name, discerning members of the public concluded that he was referring to the governors who declared their support for Siminalayi Fubara, the current Governor of Rivers State, with whom Wike has been at odds.
The power struggle over the control of the PDP structure in Rivers State has become a significant issue within the party.
The latest twist in a longstanding controversy began when Wike, speaking at the PDP state congress in Port Harcourt, issued a stark warning to governors who supported Fubara against him.
“Let me assure you, not while we live, will anybody take away the PDP structure from us. I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states,” Wike declared.
His comments sparked immediate concern within the party, given their potential to escalate political tensions within the PDP.
PDP governors, during a recent meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State, had pledged their support for Fubara amidst his ongoing political conflict with Wike.
In response to Wike’s statements, the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, revealed during an interview on Channels TV’s “Sunrise Daily” that the party had received multiple petitions against Wike for alleged anti-party activities.
These petitions were submitted by party members concerned about Wike’s conduct during the primaries and in the ongoing political tussles.
“Wike is one of the persons expected to face the committee, which is headed by no less a person than High Chief Tom Ikimi,” Abdullahi stated.
He emphasised that the current PDP leadership should be credited for handling the situation carefully, ensuring that no one is sanctioned without a fair hearing.
The PDP recently inaugurated a Disciplinary Committee, chaired by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, High Chief Tom Ikimi.
However, the committee’s formation has not been without its own controversies. Shortly after its inauguration, Chief Bode George, a former national vice-chairman of the PDP and a known ally of Wike, resigned from the committee.
George cited concerns about the committee’s composition, describing it as “lopsided.”
