The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has finally broken their silence following former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s threats to “put fire” in states whose governors are sympathetic to Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

In a statement on Tuesday, the forum condemned Wike’s comments as “unbridled” and “irresponsible.”

The governors said his threats undermine efforts to build and maintain peace, cohesion, collaboration, and mutual respect amongst leaders and members of the party.

The forum said it is committed to a “touch one, touch all” approach, pledging to support one another in the face of Wike’s threats. They stressed that their position on the affairs of the PDP in Rivers State is not subject to review by any individual, no matter how highly placed.

The governors reaffirmed their commitment to working with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP to ensure that Governor Fubara receives all the privileges he is entitled to as a governor elected on the platform of the party.

The statement reads:

PRESS RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

NYESOM WIKE’S STATEMENTS AND THREATS ARE UNBRIDLED, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND UNACCEPTABLE – PDP GOVERNORS

The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) under the chairmanship of H.E. Senator Bala Abdulkarim Mohamed (CON) and Governor of Bauchi State and all the member-Governors has been drawn to a widely circulating news story in which the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, H.E. Barrister Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State, made scathing and threatening comments regarding member-Governors of the Forum and notes the significant concerns that has been raised in the public space regarding the unity and peaceful coexistence within our party.

2. The statements and threats to peaceful coexistence made by Wike to “Put fire” in the PDP controlled States are unbridled, irresponsible and without ambiguity totally unacceptable as it undermines efforts to build and maintain peace, cohesion, collaboration and mutual respect amongst leaders and members of the party. It is rather unfortunate that this is coming from someone who was once a member of this highly revered forum as a former governor.

3 The Forum has always maintained “A TOUCH ONE TOUCH ALL” philosophy and individually and collectively stand by and support each other no matter the circumstances. A tradition Wike tremendously enjoyed in his days of travail as governor.  Thus, we therefore maintain that our position on the affairs of the PDP in Rivers State, as unanimously resolved at our 2024, 3rd and 4th Meetings held in Enugu and Taraba States respectively are not subject to review by any individual no matter how highly placed.

4. We wish to emphasize that neither is the position of the Forum personal nor does it by any stretch of the imagination undermine the relevance of any stakeholder in the party. Rather, as loyal party faithful, members of the Forum remain committed to that pristine practice that was intended to guarantee order, eliminate conflicting centres of loyalty epitomised by the situation in Rivers State and guard against distracting the Governor in the prosecution of his mandate. Wike benefitted wholly from that arrangement. 

5. We are irrevocably committed to working with the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the PDP, in ensuring that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is conferred with all the privileges he is entitled to as a Governor elected on the platform of our party, both at the state and national levels

6. Our undiluted commitment to the unity of our party is paramount. The PDP has always been a party that values unity and collective progress. The recent actions of the governors, including their support for Governor Fubara, reflect their dedication to these values. It is crucial for all party members, including Wike, to work together towards common goals rather than pursuing personal vendettas.

7. The Forum insists that it is incumbent on the National Working Committee of the PDP to invoke both official provisions and unofficial good offices platforms to find an amicable solution to the crisis in its Rivers State chapter. Similarly, if indeed the larger interests of Rivers State is their individual motivation, the warring parties should allow themselves to be guided by a spirit of give and take and eschewing, at all times, the incendiary posturing that inflames passions among their followers.

8. It is inevitable for us to encourage dialogue and reconciliation continuously. The PDP has established mechanisms for addressing grievances and resolving conflicts, such as the recently constituted disciplinary and reconciliation committees; thus it is important for Wike to engage with these processes constructively, as dialogue and reconciliation are the pathways to resolving differences and strengthening the party.

Recall that Wike on Saturday vowed to instigate political crisis in the state of any governor who tries to interfere in the affairs of the PDP in Rivers State.

“Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give back to somebody, I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states.

“When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace – anything you see you take,” Wike said.