…as cold war with Gov Wike deepens
There are indications that the political war of attrition between the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, and Rivers State governor, Nyesome Wike, is getting worse.
Wike, who is now referred to as ‘one man too much power’ in PDP, appears to be one of the few people who dictate the tunes in the party currently.
His influence apparently commands respect from several stakeholders of the party.
This, according to sources, has made the chairman of the party and other stakeholders of the party to start nursing the impression that Rivers’ Number One citizen may outsmart them anytime soon.
Wike had recently attacked the chairman “on his weak leadership” which he said had landed the party in troubled waters.
To add fuel to the burning fire in the party, seven National Working Committee and a BoT member left the party for the opposition party, a big blow that pundits believe would weaken the party’s ‘shock absorber’ ahead of 2023.
However, Secondus, in what could be termed ‘SOS’ cry, raised the alarm on Wednesday, over his suspicion that someone was bent on hijacking the party structures -apparently a veiled reference to Wike.
In the media missive, Secondus described the potential hijacker also as ‘Father Christmas’, thus clarifying the innuendo further, as Wike is noted for his overwhelming generousities.
In the statement issued through his media aide, Ike Abonyi, Secondus said, “The office of the National Chairman was privy to intelligence that the strong party chieftain bent on hijacking the party structure for destruction is still on the loose with the main agenda of denting the image of Prince Uche Secondus the National Chairman.
“Reports reaching this office shows clearly that this character is deploying all devious means to try and diminish the person and character of the National Chairman with a view to having his way of ultimately hijacking the structure for his disproportionately large ambition.
“We, therefore, wish to alert the general public particularly media houses and party stakeholders to look out for strange deployment of luring gifts from this destructive ‘Father Christmas’ all aimed at having a grip on the soul of our party by having a caretaker Committee.
“What continues to shock many party observers is the real reason behind the desperation of this man to get at the National Chairman and the quantum of public funds being expended to achieve this illicit goal a few months to the National Convention.
“Few months to National Convention anybody who means well for this party and who is a true democrat should respect the constitution of the party and approach issues dispassionately.
“Prince Secondus through the media office however wishes to assure all critical stakeholders of our great party that every reasonable step is being taken to ensure that the image and status of the party are not injured by all these needless noises and scheming by desperadoes.”
Meanwhile, a source in PDP said Secondus’ alarm was out of fear over his suspicion towards Wike who many have recently seen as a powerful man of the party.
According to the source who didn’t want his name mentioned, “Wike, no doubt, has worn the power toga in the party and most stakeholders in the party now reckon with him.
“As you may know, his influence brought (Edo State’s Governor Godwin) Obaseki into the party easily. Apart from this, he recently influenced some powerful decisions
“Currently, if you are wise in PDP, you will not oppose his opinion because he has the party’s grip.”
Wike and Secondus also recently engaged each other in war words.
Wike who expressed concern over the party’s dwindling fortunes, lashed out at Secondus, saying “his weak leadership style has cost the party many people”.
Wike who spoke on the occasion of a birthday ceremony for former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, blamed Secondus for the current crisis in the party.
“Talking about leadership, unfortunately, the National Chairman (Secondus) left before I started. We should not be theoretical but be practical in what we practise. He goes to the church, you see the pastor, you pontificate. He leaves the church, he does a different thing. What is the problem with this country? It’s leadership.
“If he ( Secondus) had shown leadership in Cross River, our party would not have had the problem we have today. The national chairman said we need good leadership in the country, but if you don’t show good leadership, the party cannot produce good leaders. That is the truth of the matter.
“We talk about character. What is leadership? Leadership is about character, boldness, selflessness and audacious. As a leader, you must have character. Not to speak white in the morning and you speak black in the evening. Is that leadership? What are we telling our youths? We are talking about the future of this country,” Wike stated.
Meanwhile, Secondus in a response through his media person, Ike Abonyi, said he would not join issues with Wike, whom he tagged “a leader of the party”.
According to him, “The media office of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has been inundated with calls and inquiries on the outburst of the Rivers State Governor, Neysom Wike, against the person and image of the national chairman.
“Our response is that no amount of provocation will make the national chairman join issues with any leader of the party not to talk of a state governor.
“To do that is to remove the toga of a leader of the party.“The impact of such a response from the national chairman on the party will be worse than silence.
“The national chairman considers whatever negative outburst against him from any quarter as one of the punches a leader must receive and endure to get stronger, especially when the truth is unhidden that Secondus is not a liar.”
However, political analysts are of the opinion that PDP may be heading for a crash before the 2023 general election, as indications showed that more governors and party chieftains may defect to APC.