Fire Comment: PDP NWC Backs Govs Against Wike

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party has thrown weight behind governors elected under the party.

This comes amidst the ongoing feud between the PDP Governors’ Forum and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Wike, a former Rivers State Governor, had threatened to throw fire in the states of governors supporting his successor, Siminalayi Fubara.

At a meeting around mid-August, governors elected on the platform of the PDP had declared Siminalayi Fubara, estranged godson of Wike, as the leader of the party in Rivers.

The National Legal Adviser of PDP, Kamaldeen Ajibade Adeyemi, (SAN), while speaking during a delegation visit to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Tuesday, said whatever step the party’s governors take, the NWC is with them.

“We feel it is imperative for us to identify with you and to tell you that whatever step is taken by the governors forum, we, as your representative as National Working Committee, will always be glad to implement.”

Responding to the delegation, Governor Bala Mohammed, said nobody can put fire in Bauchi “because we have a volume of water to quench the fire”.

He said, “We are together; nobody can put fire in Bauchi. We have a volume of water that will quench the fire; even my friend that said that, he did so because he was annoyed. But it’s not personal. My friend is my friend, and my job is my job, leadership is leadership.”

Mohammed, who is the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said, “This unsolicited visit by the National Working Committee shows that in Nigeria, we have hope, and we are connected by the value and the stability of PDP for peace and stability in our party and in our country.

“Yes, none of the parties is isolated in terms of crisis here and there. Crises are there; that is why leadership is also there. That is why we have to take the bull by the horns to discuss and look at the constitution of our party, PDP. All the parties must do things by the rule of law. We must respect people, we must put our interests aside, we must respect our diversity, and we must meet and close ranks, especially when the issue has to do with our party, the PDP. Our party has pedigree… most of the development in this country was done by the PDP. When PDP left, nothing was done. If you can see all the members of the national working committee here are square peg in square hole. Even if we are quarrelling, we are together. Nobody should misunderstand that, we are not a splinter group.”

Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.