The Caretaker Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has called for the immediate suspension of Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT and former governor, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ihunwo alleged that Wike’s actions since the 2023 elections have caused more harm than good to the party, prompting him to challenge the PDP’s National Working Committee(NWC) to take decisive action.
He challenged the NWC to do the needful unless they’ve been bribed.
He alleged that Wike’s actions are driven by personal ambition, rather than a desire to serve the party or Nigerians.
“When the BOT came to our State to see the Governor, I was expecting the BOT to take a stand in what is happening in the party, the man cannot sell the party for his own personal gain. What Wike is doing is not for the interest of Nigerians but for his own personal interest.
“He did this same thing to gain as a Minister, he want to also do it to gain in 2027 presidential election . So, I want to appeal to the party to suspend him immediately because he is on a mission to destroy the party”.
Regarding the just concluded state congress of the PDP, the CTC chairman of Obio-Akpor, described it as efforts in futility, reminding everyone of the court order halting the process from the ward congress held some weeks ago.
“I want to describe that incident as a jamboree that cannot stand because the leader of the party in the state, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara was not part of that process, and there is a court order restraining the party from moving ahead with that congress. In the eyes of the law there was no congress held in Rivers State. I want to advise our people especially the supporters of the governor to remain calm, we will follow them according to the law based on the court order.
“The man who want to live up and down only came to test if he is on ground, and it is obvious he has lost touch with the people. The congress was held in a small hall, as against the usual Obi Wali Conference centre or any other place”, he said.
However, Ihunwo’s call for Wike’s suspension has been met with reactions from State party’s Publicity Secretary, Kenneth Yowika, in a statement, described Ihunwo’s outburst as a desperate attempt to undermine the efforts of Wike, who has been instrumental in “reclaiming the party from scavengers” bent on destroying it.
The party insisted that Wike’s position on party matters has been consistent and that the recent congresses, supervised by INEC and the National Working Committee, have legitimized the party’s leadership structure.
“Truth and justice are not crimes,” the party declared, implying that Ihunwo’s call for Wike’s suspension is baseless and motivated by ulterior motives.
However, the party called on the Board of Trustees (BOT) to take immediate legal action against Chijioke Ihunwo for his “weighty allegation” that the BOT has sold the party.
The party described Ihunwo’s claim as “defamatory” and “unsubstantiated”, and reminded him that he lacks the moral authority to comment on the recent congresses, having not participated in any of them.
Ihunwo was also challenged to provide proof of his membership and revalidation in the PDP, amidst claims that he and his cohorts were never driven away from the party.
Yowika said: “The party reaffirmed its commitment to following the Federal High Court order, which paved the way for peaceful congresses, and assured that its doors remain open to all members, including Ihunwo, who is welcome to return to the party he willingly abandoned.”