Wike Stands Firm: No Apologies for Threatening PDP Governors with Fire

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has declared that he will not apologize for his fiery threats directed at PDP governors, maintaining his stance amid ongoing political tensions.

Last night, the Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike stated that he wouldn’t apologize to anyone for his threat of setting fire to any state controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which challenged his authority within the organization.

During his appearance on Channels Television, Wike made a firm declaration that he would never endorse Siminalayi Fubara again – despite the fact that they were once political allies and successors within Rivers State government.

Yesterday, the political camp of Rivers State’s governor was filled with fury as a result of the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP granting control over state party structures to Wike.

According to sources within the PDP, the decision made by the NWC also left the party’s governors feeling deeply dismayed.

During a TV interview, Wike expressed that the PDP Governors Forum’s statement pledging support for Fubara to lead the party in Rivers State was disrespectful and disregarded his authority. As a result, he reacted appropriately.

According to him, the legality of their stance on the Rivers PDP was irrelevant as far as the governors were concerned.

He said that he reiterated to the Governors Forum, without offering any apologies to anyone anywhere, that heaven would never fall.

READ ALSO: Clark Urges IGP to Arrest Wike and Charge Him with Treason Over Threats Against PDP Governors

“As a former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the FCT, I believe that true peace will only be achieved when heaven falls.”

The only governor who I do not have any relationship with is the one from Zamfara. Every other governor knows and recognizes me, except for him. Your proposal to disregard our party’s constitution in order to support your colleague in River State feels like an attempt at breaking protocol – especially given that you made this announcement on national TV after a meeting including the Chairman of PDP Governors Forum.”

“I am the Minister of FCT from that state, and yet you view me as insignificant in my own territory before making such a statement? Do you expect me to sit back just because you hold a position I have never held? Is everything really alright with this situation?”

When asked if he was sorry for his response, which seemed to suggest the use of violence, Wike replied assertively: “Why should I be sorry? My statement wasn’t derogatory… It was a figure of speech. I simply meant that if you try to instigate trouble in my state, then expect similar troubles in yours.”

I did not predict that Bauchi or Oyo State would experience turmoil. Frankly, it is of no concern to me. My point is simply this: if you attempt to disturb the political stability in my state through unlawful means and interfere with a legitimate legal process currently underway, I will not sit idly by. Just because someone holds an important position such as being a governor or chairman of governors’ forum does not give them the power to cancel elected officials who have been sworn into office under NWC and NEC authority without just cause. Don’t assume that I do not possess the ability to create similar unrest in your state too!

The minister questioned whether Chief Edwin Clark, an Ijaw leader who demanded Wike’s arrest for undermining his authority by threatening to set fire to PDP-controlled states, is a duly registered member of the party who pays his membership fees.

When asked about being labeled as a mole by certain power brokers in the PDP, the minister denied it and stated that no governor or member of the party can consider him an outsider. He explained to Seun (the interviewer) that prior to accepting his appointment, he had sent letters to various groups within the PDP including national and zonal leaders as well as officials in his state. Additionally, he revealed that his own governor had endorsed this decision with a signed letter of approval.