The Chief Tom Ikimi-led disciplinary committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has summoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to answer charges of alleged anti-party activities.
PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Sunrise” program on Monday.
He explained that the invitation to the minister is a result of numerous petitions against him, alleging anti-party activities and sabotage of the party.
Abdullahi further stated that Wike has been making reckless comments, threatening PDP governors and attempting to weaken the party.
“The former Rivers State governor has been threatening serving PDP governors, saying he will put fire in their states. This is unacceptable,” Abdullahi said.
“Three weeks ago, we established two committees—one for reconciliation and one for discipline—and Nyesom Wike is one of the persons to face the disciplinary committee, which is headed by elder statesman Chief Tom Ikimi.
“The disciplinary committee will look into issues of anti-party activities. We’ve been receiving petitions regarding anti-party actions and sabotaging the party throughout the primary process, leading to where we are now.
“These petitions against Wike and other party members have been aggregated and sent to the committee. Some party members even feel that Wike shouldn’t still be a member of the PDP, and they have been writing to the leadership.
“Wike should manage his words carefully; that was a very disappointing remark. We weren’t expecting him to say that, and to be honest with you, we do not support him on this.”
Later, at a press conference at the national secretariat in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, affirmed that the disciplinary committee could summon the minister if necessary.
However, he mentioned that he could not confirm if the invitation had already been extended since he is not a member of the committee.
The opposition spokesman also warned that no individual is bigger than the party.
His position came against the backdrop of Wike’s threat to instigate crises in PDP-governed states if their governors interfere in Rivers State affairs.
The PDP spokesman noted that the PDP Governors Forum (PDP GF) would respond to Wike’s threat.
Recall that the minister had accused the PDP governors of allegedly trying to hand over the party structure to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He warned that if they interfere in the party’s affairs in Rivers, he has the capacity to cause crises in their states.
Ologunagba also expressed the party’s confidence in the forum’s ability to stabilize the party and serve as a reference point for development in the country.
Despite attempts to derail the PDP in the upcoming Edo State governorship election, Ologunagba asserted that the party’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, is expected to garner not less than 65 percent of the vote.
Speaking on the party’s preparations for the election, Ologunagba criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the state, Monday Okpebholo, accusing him of hiding behind former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, due to his incompetence.
“The ‘Prosperity for All Agenda’ of Ighodalo is resonating with people across all parties in the state,” Ologunagba said, “From all credible indicators across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State, the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, is on course for a sweeping victory with no less than 65% of the total votes expected in the election.
“Due to the overwhelming popularity and acceptability of our candidate, the PDP campaign in Edo State has become a movement, drawing support across all ages, professions, classes, communities, and even political affiliations. Key members of the APC in Edo State are openly and publicly campaigning and declaring support for Dr. Asue Ighodalo daily.
“This situation continues to send shockwaves to the APC and its uninspiring candidate, Monday Okpebholo, who, apparently mindful of his emptiness, has refused to engage with the people of Edo State or the media, and continues to hide behind his deceitful godfather, Adams Oshiomhole.
“The APC, overwhelmed by the impending crushing defeat, has resorted to sinister plots and tactics to subvert and derail the September 21, 2024, governorship election, having realized that its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, is no match for the PDP’s erudite Dr. Asue Ighodalo, whose manifesto and vision embody the collective aspirations and will of the people of Edo State.
“After multiple failures to stop our candidate through the courts, the APC has been exploring ways to derail the electoral process because it has no prospect of winning the election.
“One of these tactics was an attempt to manipulate the INEC bio-data process by fraudulently uploading emojis, pictures of foreigners, social media images, and non-human photos as polling and collation agents, with the intent to smuggle in hired thugs to masquerade as polling agents and trigger crises on election day.
“Additionally, the APC, in connivance with some compromised security operatives, has begun terrorizing the people of Edo State by arresting, torturing, and detaining them, particularly the youth, to instill fear and prevent them from exercising their civic duty.
“Notable among those arrested, harassed, and dehumanized by APC-controlled security operatives are Mr. Kingsley Osahon, who was arrested in Uromi, Mr. Odion Bright, and Mr. Timothy Isibor, who were arrested in Igueben.
“Last Wednesday, August 28, 2024, an attempt was made by the said APC-controlled operatives to arrest Chief Francis Inegbeniki, who recently defected from the APC to the PDP.
“It is clear that the APC’s plan is to instill fear in Edo State, heighten tension, instigate crises, and subvert the electoral process.
“The PDP calls on the Inspector General of Police to immediately intervene and address the situation. We also demand the immediate and unconditional release of all Edo State citizens arrested by the APC-controlled security operatives in the state.
“In the same vein, the PDP demands an immediate investigation into concerns circulating in the public domain that certain APC leaders have reportedly established secret cells in their houses and other locations where they are allegedly training and arming thugs to unleash on the peace-loving and law-abiding people of Edo State.
“The APC must accept the undeniable fact that, as far as the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State is concerned, Monday Okpebholo has no chance, as the preference of the people of Edo State is clearly in favor of Dr. Asue Ighodalo and the PDP.
“The APC should remember that the people of Edo State have a rich history of resisting political leaders who attempt to impose themselves or their lackeys on the populace, as is currently being witnessed in the actions of Adams Oshiomhole and the candidacy of Monday Okpebholo.
“No amount of threats, intimidation, or harassment by the APC and its agents can cow or sway the people of Edo State from their resolve to elect Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the PDP as the next governor of the state.
“The PDP again urges the people of Edo State to remain steadfast in standing shoulder to shoulder with our party and candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, as we head to victory on September 21, 2024.”
TheWitness
