In a recent news conference to celebrate his 79th birthday, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Bode George urged Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to resolve his ongoing feud with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Expressing concern over the lack of action by party members and leaders in addressing the conflict, George criticized Wike for attempting to control Rivers State from Abuja, asserting that Fubara should not be treated as a ‘slave’ despite Wike’s role in his rise to power.
Addressing the lack of sanctions against Wike for causing division within the PDP, George emphasized the importance of upholding party unity and preventing any individual from holding the party hostage.
“We cannot allow this behavior to continue. We must learn from past mistakes and stand united as a party. Those instigating discord should be reprimanded or shown the door,” George stated.
He said, “May I ask those at the helm of affairs of our party today, what exactly is the offense of Governor Fubara of Rivers State?
“What exactly is going on that party members don’t feel bothered about the happenings in the state. Governor Wike helped Fubara to become the number one citizen of the oil-bearing state.
“The governor himself acknowledged this on many occasions. Will the governor now behave like a slave? Why are some party members encouraging his predecessor to bring down the state?
“He lives in Abuja and wants to control what goes on in Rivers State…. did the governors before him behave this way? This cannot continue like this. Why can’t we learn from our past mistakes?
“Why can’t we tell all this trouble makers to go and sit down if we want this party to move forward. The other day, Wike boasted openly, threatening Governors saying ‘I’ll put fire in your states’ but the APC Government he’s working for refused to sanction him.
“Why can’t PDP sanction him? … instead of instigating crisis in our party, why are they not courageous enough to defect to the APC? If they fear God at all. Nobody is big enough to hold the party to ransom. My advice to Wike is very simple: you are my son, a political son.
“I am appealing to him to cool off immediately. I know he was injured by friends during the last PDP Presidential contest. Take it easy. Nobody is bigger than any party. Forget what happened in the past. Let us work together for the interest of our political party.”
