In an open letter addressed to Mr Umar Damagum, the Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has urged Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to leave the PDP for the party’s survival. Clark, a distinguished elder statesman, and First Republic politician, expressed deep concern over Wike’s influence within the party, particularly in Rivers State.
Clark accused Wike of exploiting his close ties with President Bola Tinubu to exert undue influence over Rivers State. He said that Wike’s actions threatened not only the PDP but also the peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.
Wike Must Leave
“Wike must leave PDP for the party to survive,” Clark said, criticizing the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary for allegedly working for Wike’s agenda. He accused them of engaging in anti-party activities and collaborating with Wike to undermine the leadership of Siminalayi Fubara, the current Governor of Rivers State.
Clark further alleged that Wike’s desire to control Rivers State through his “political structure” was unconstitutional, violating Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution. He criticized Damagum for allegedly attempting to provide legal validation to Rivers lawmakers loyal to Wike despite their public defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“As acting national chairman of your party, you took your party’s NWC to court on the defection of the 27 members of the Rivers state house of assembly, that because they did leave the PDP properly, they are still members of the party, even after the 27 members had publicly declared that they have defected, and had already been received by the APC,” he said.
“Your position, Mr. Acting National Chairman, is antithetical to the position of Section 109. You took your party’s NEC to court, an organ you preside over.
“From all indications, you are conniving with detractors of PDP to ruin the party for the APC.”
The ongoing rift between Wike and Governor Similanayi Fubara has led to a crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly, where 27 members defected from the PDP to the APC in December 2023. This defection has fueled tensions within the state’s political landscape, further complicating the power dynamics.
Defiant Wike Replies
Despite the mounting criticism, Wike has firmly declared his intention to remain in the PDP. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, he dismissed suggestions that he might join the APC, asserting that he conducts his actions openly and honestly.
“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 said if he had intended to join the APC, he would have done so openly, as he did when he refused to support the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the last presidential election. He criticized those questioning his loyalty, arguing their fears stem from his strong commitment to his principles.
He added, “Anyone who knows me knows I would do it openly if I wanted to join the APC. When I was in the PDP, I openly said I wouldn’t support their presidential candidate, and I stood by that.”
Wike also criticized those who questioned his loyalty, suggesting that they lacked the integrity he values. “People should be known for something. Integrity is crucial. Those talking are just scared of my presence,” he concluded.
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