Isaac Samuel
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as a tool used by his enemies to fight him.
Speaking in a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Wike reflected emotionally on the recent political rift between him and his successor.
“When I go back in my quiet moments, I play the video of speeches of the governor (Fubara), what he said, what he did to me, I weep. Was it necessary? This is somebody who brought you, gave you food, gave you everything, did this to you, and then you became a tool for his enemies to fight him.”
The former Rivers governor also took a swipe at those demanding his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that no one had the authority or moral standing to remove him from the party.
“I am still in the PDP. I worked hard for the party. I have not seen anybody who will have the guts to tell me, ‘Wike, you are not a member of the party.’ Who is that? What is his contribution to the party that is more than me?” he said.
Wike’s comments come amid increasing disquiet within the PDP over his alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.
His recent policies and utterances, especially as FCT Minister, have drawn criticism from within the party, including its Board of Trustees.
Responding to concerns over the sealing of the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja by the FCTA due to unpaid ground rent, elder statesman and PDP BoT member, Chief Bode George, expressed dismay, noting that it was painful that such action was carried out under the watch of a PDP chieftain.
But Wike fired back, dismissing the criticism as baseless and questioning George’s political relevance.
“How can he (Olabode George) say so? If an old man has no job, sit in your house and read newspapers,
The minister added: “Bode George said PDP made me, PDP gave me national name, I agree. Party cannot make you, you are the one that will make the party popular to win election. Party cannot say oh, we are very popular, it is you individuals that will make the party popular.
Look at this way, I agree PDP made me, ask Bode George who did PDP male in Lagos? If it’s the Party that makes (individuals), who did PDP make in Lagos since 1999? Not one Assembly, not House of Reps, not Senate, not anything, not anything and you are talking to me who has laboured, campaigned and worked for the party to be the major party in the State and at National level, meanwhile in your own state,
Wike also justified his aggressive enforcement of property laws in Abuja, including the sealing of premises over unpaid dues, saying the era of impunity was over.
“Our elite travel abroad and admire how things work there, but come back here and refuse to obey basic laws. Those days are over. Something will happen,” he warned.
