The youth wing of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political organization of the South-South, has warned that the actions of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s political support in the Niger Delta ahead of the 2027 general elections.......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
Speaking at a press conference, PANDEF’s National Youth Leader, Donben Donyegha, expressed disappointment over Wike’s recent remarks, describing them as disrespectful to Niger Delta leaders and detrimental to political stability in the region.
“Wike has insulted those who once stood by him. His presence in this administration is a liability, and his conduct threatens President Tinubu’s political prospects in 2027.
“The South-South will be difficult for the president to win due to the damage Wike has already done,” Donyegha said.
He faulted Wike’s alleged disparaging statements against the Ijaw nation and leaders of PANDEF, giving the minister a 48-hour ultimatum to retract his comments and apologize. “If he fails to apologize within 48 hours, we will take necessary actions.
The Niger Delta and the entire South-South region stand united against his recklessness,” Donyegha warned.
He also faulted Wike for allegedly disrespecting the late elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, even in death.
“It is painful that Wike would show such utter disrespect to our late leader, Chief Edwin Clark, even before his burial,” he added.
The outrage follows Wike’s recent media chat, where he reportedly described PANDEF as “the worst organization anybody can rely on” and labeled its Board of Trustees members as “political merchants.”
PANDEF’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Comrade Mathew Dighi, reaffirmed the group’s stance, emphasizing that respect and accountability must be upheld in leadership.
As youths of the Niger Delta, we will not accept any form of disrespect toward our leaders.
Leadership should be about fostering unity, not causing division,” Dighi stated.
Similarly, PANDEF’s Students Youth Coordinator, Hon. Prince Victor, called for a review of Wike’s political conduct, particularly his recent comments on the crisis in Rivers State.
The youth leaders accused Wike of having a history of making derogatory remarks about traditional rulers and political figures in the Niger Delta.
They cited an instance during his tenure as Rivers State governor when he allegedly insulted traditional rulers, telling one of them that he looked like Uthman Dan Fodio.
The group also criticized Wike’s response to a recent visit by prominent Niger Delta leaders to President Tinubu.
Meanwhile, Wike has dismissed speculations of ethnic division in Rivers State, stating that the show of solidarity by the Kalabari people demonstrates unity and shared purpose.
Wike made this remark on Saturday during a grand civic reception held in his honour by Kalabari stakeholders in Abalama Town, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The event, organized by Ijaw stakeholders under the aegis of the New Associates, was marked by cultural displays, traditional dances, and tributes to Wike’s contributions to the region.
Wike criticized Fubara’s decision to align with individuals who had previously opposed his election, arguing that they were misleading him.
He also condemned the withholding of allowances for State Assembly members, calling it an unjust act.
“All these things you are seeing, I told the Governor, ‘God gave you something, eat it peacefully.’ It is not good for you to face this crisis. But they told him, ‘You are Governor, you have money.’
“Money is not everything. All these people, they have nothing to offer. See where we are now. How far?” Wike stated.
Addressing calls for peace, Wike maintained that he would not interfere with the work of the Rivers State House of Assembly, asserting that lawmakers should be allowed to perform their constitutional duties without intimidation. “I’m not going to stop the State Assembly members from performing their constitutional duties.
The Assembly should be allowed to perform their constitutional duties. People who love peace don’t threaten people. The more you threaten, the more you worsen the situation,” he said.
He also criticized Fubara’s approach to the ongoing political crisis, noting that despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention, the Governor’s allies continued to undermine peace efforts through court actions.
“When the President intervened, they went to court challenging Mr. President that he assumed power that is not constitutional.
Now, you are running back to the same President. You must be consistent with your actions,” Wike added.
Reaffirming his loyalty to the Ijaw nation, Wike stressed the need for political stability and fairness in governance.
He warned against sidelining those who had contributed to the state’s political structure and urged the people to remain law-abiding despite attempts to stir ethnic division.
“Our efforts, our sweat, we cannot be pushed out. All of you suffered, and somebody will just come, because they gave him power overnight, and say, ‘Get out.’ Anybody who remembers you in the rainy season will also remember you in the dry season,” he stated.
The Minister was accompanied by prominent political allies, including Senator Philip Aduda, former Minority Whip in the 9th Assembly; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche; and Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
The Minister on Saturday defied protests to attend an event organised in his honour by Ijaw stakeholders under the platform of NEW Associates at Abalama town, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The angry protesters, mostly Ijaw women of Kalabari extraction, vandalised giant billboards bearing the pictures of FCT Minister at Abalama junction.
The women also attempted to barricade the road to the venue with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Kalabari take your stand now!”, “Wike, what do you want in Kalabari land?” before they were dispersed by security personnel.
Speaking at the grand civic reception and thanksgiving, the FCT Minister said he will not stop the Rivers House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, from performing its constitutional functions in the state.
Wike who addressed the mammoth crowd of Kalabari Ijaw that had trooped out in their numbers to welcome him, blamed the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, for instigating the main issue that led to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
The Minister, while being cheered by the crowd, said he came because some persons threatened him not to attend the event, noting that the occasion was an indication the opposition was a mere radio noise.
He said: “I heard some people say I won’t come here. Who are they and how many are they? What you have done today is to tell the world all these noise in the radio is not the real thing. If you are of the Kalabari and of the Ijaw nation and you are receiving me today, God will continue to bless you. I will continue to stand by you and to support you.”
Wike explained that some persons had misunderstood and misinterpreted his recent interview on Ijaw but clarified that he only meant that an Ijaw man becoming a governor in Rivers was made possible and agreement to work together.
The Minister said at the final day of deciding who would be his successor, Fubara said he was not interested and urged them to give the position to his then Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu.
He recalled the process that led to Sir Siminalayi Fubara becoming the governor adding that Chief Alabraba, Chief Seargent Awuse and OCJ Okocha mounted pressure on him to allow Fubara in the principle of live and let live. Wike said: “What I said in my interview, people will want to misinterpret it.
“However, they want to misinterpret it, is their business. I want to repeat what I said. I said we are all working together. “If we don’t work together it would have been difficult to produce the governor.
That was what I said. Chief Alabraba did not allow me to rest; he nearly fainted when we were deciding who would be governor.” The…..CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE
