In a scathing rebuke, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State, has launched a verbal tirade against certain leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, branding them as “political buccaneers.”
Wike’s criticism targeted PDP figures in the state who recently declared their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom Wike referred to as his “former political son.”
The PDP leaders, including Abiye Sekibo, Uche Secondus, Celestine Omehia, and Austin Opara, had urged President Bola Tinubu to rein in Wike.
Dismissing their endorsement of Fubara, Wike lambasted Sekibo, Secondus, Omehia, and Opara as “expired politicians” who lacked the integrity to be considered “elder statesmen.”
He asserted that he had expelled them from the PDP, emphasizing that Secondus was no longer a member of the party due to his suspension, which was upheld by the court.
During his fiery remarks, Wike derided the PDP leaders’ credibility, describing them as “transactional politicians,” “political vampires,” and “political buccaneers.”
When pressed by journalists about their status as elder statesmen, Wike retorted, “An elder statesman is someone who must have integrity; who must not be here today and be there tomorrow.”
Highlighting what he perceived as hypocrisy, Wike pointed out that these same individuals had previously withheld their support for Fubara before the 2023 elections but had now shifted their allegiance post-election.
He criticized their lack of consistency and integrity, questioning their sudden endorsement of someone they had once criticized as a “neophyte.”
Expressing his disdain for their actions, Wike condemned the PDP leaders’ motives and accused them of selfishness and opportunism. He lamented their call for Nigerians to support Tinubu, highlighting their failure to enact meaningful change during their tenures in power.
Furthermore, Wike addressed his strained relationship with former governor Peter Odili, indicating that political differences had driven a wedge between them.
He expressed skepticism over Odili’s newfound status as a “revered leader” among the PDP leaders in Rivers State, questioning the timing and authenticity of his leadership role.
Wike’s vehement denunciation of the PDP leaders underscores the deep-rooted divisions and power struggles within the political landscape of Rivers State, signaling potential ramifications for future political dynamics in the region.