North-East Group Explain Why PDP Leadership Must Sanction Wike

The North East Unity Forum (NUF) has called on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take disciplinary action against Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in order to restore order and discipline within the party.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its convener, Abubakar Kabir, the Forum emphasized that the PDP can only regain its former stature by addressing what it described as the “self-serving” behavior of the former Rivers State governor.

The NUF condemned Wike’s recent statements, including his threats to “put fire in the states” of governors who support Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The group characterized these remarks as “reckless” and a direct threat to the peace and stability of Nigeria. The Forum further criticized Wike’s declaration that governors interfering in Rivers State “will never sleep in your state,” calling it a dangerous provocation that endangers both democracy and national stability.

“Such inflammatory rhetoric is unbecoming of a public official and cannot be tolerated,” the statement read. The NUF called for Wike’s immediate removal from his position as FCT Minister, asserting that his actions demonstrate he is unfit for any public office, particularly one as significant as the FCT Minister.

The Forum also urged President Bola Tinubu to make a clear choice between upholding the rule of law, decency, and common sense, or aligning with a politician like Wike, whom they accuse of seeking to create violence and instability for personal gain.

“The PDP leadership must act decisively to sanction Wike and restore discipline within the party,” the NUF stated, adding that such action would reaffirm the party’s commitment to democracy, unity, and loyalty—principles they view as the foundation of any political system.

The group argued that Wike’s actions amount to “political hooliganism,” and insisted that Nigeria’s democracy depends on rejecting individuals who, in their view, threaten the country’s stability with chaotic and self-serving behavior.

This development follows recent tensions within the PDP, where Wike, during a state congress at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt, warned fellow PDP governors against interfering in the party’s affairs in Rivers State. Wike issued a pointed threat, stating, “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us… I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give back to somebody.”