Governor Wike Dares PDP to expel him [see reasons]

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has urged those threatening to kick him out of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to at least try.

At the Eneka Road Roundabout, site of the flag-off ceremony for the building of the Eneka – Igbo Etche Road dualization project, Governor Wike issued the challenge.

However, Wike, who reiterated that he is unconcerned by the possibility of expulsion, questioned why those who wish to do so are showing signs of nervousness rather than carrying out their threat and seeing if they will survive it. When the time comes, he claimed, “we will recognize who has capacity and who does not.”

The governor of Rivers State also reaffirmed the G5 group’s minimal demand, which is Dr. Iyorchia Ayu’s resignation as PDP national chairman in order to make room for a southerner to fill the position.

The national chairman must visit the south, according to the demand we have made. It is indisputable. No issue if you indicate that you don’t care. Going to the field now. There is no need to start threatening individuals that you will do this or that.

Governor Wike spoke on the circumstances behind the former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s begging of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is currently running for president of the PDP, to support his candidacy for a second term between 2002 and 2003.

You claim that we are providing conditions, yet you disregard history. When President Olusegun Obasanjo decided to run for a second term in office in 2002–2003, he knee down in front of his vice president and begged him to give him the go-ahead. You are aware of one of the requirements he set for him: Tony Anenih had to lose his position as minister of works and couldn’t participate in the presidential campaign council. Obasanjo complied and withdrew Tony Anenih from the presidential campaign council as well as his position as minister of works.

He expressed amazement at individuals who claimed they had moved on and did not require the G5 group to win the 2023 election for them to continue to show interest in them. He questioned why opponents of the G5 were constantly looking for the newest action taken by the organization.

Governor Wike questioned why they were worrying about the G5’s whereabouts, what it said, and whom they chose to communicate with.

The governor pointed out that while the G5 was recently in Europe, several individuals, including media organizations, theorized and insinuated numerous untrue allegations without any visual or audible evidence to support their claims that the G5 met with a presidential candidate in Europe.

Prince Uche Secondus, the former national chairman of the PDP, claimed to be his patron, but the governor of Rivers State called that claim false.

He said that, except from accompanying him on a few lobbying trips, Prince Uche Secondus had never sponsored him for a political post during the course of his political career.

Prince Uche Secondus was sponsored by Governor Wike to become the national chairman of the PDP, and later removed when he wanted to install his nephew as governor of Rivers State, despite fierce opposition and rejection from people like Sule Lamido, Austin Opara, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Celestine Omehia, and Lee Maeba. Governor Wike insisted that he is actually Prince Uche Secondus’ benefactor.

“You wanted to become national chairman first so you could force your nephew—or cousin, as you may want to refer to him—to run for governor of the PDP in Rivers State. Not here, I said; it won’t work. You are now out after we had to kick you out first.

At various points, he identified the families of Dr. Odili, Senator John Mbata, and the Nsirim as sponsors of his political aspirations, which helped shape who he is today.