By Ben Adoga, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has made significant pledges to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), vowing to remain with the party and fight for its principles.
He made this declaration during a media parley held to mark his one year in office, providing a clear context for his statement.
Wike, in response to the rumours of his defection to the ruling APC, firmly denied any such intention.
He declared his unwavering commitment to the PDP, vowing to stay and fight against what he perceived as injustices within the party.
As a former Rivers State governor and a key figure in the PDP, Wike’s decision to remain with the party carries significant weight.
He restated his commitment to the PDP despite opposition from his state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and other party leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He vowed to remain neutral, fight to correct the party’s injustices, and ensure that members’ rights were protected.
He said, “I will not leave PDP even when the fight at home (Rivers State) and national level gets tougher. I will fight to the last. I am not prepared to join the APC. I have said it, and I want to repeat it. The President handed me the work I am doing here, and I am focused on achieving the tasks before me.
“I will not fold my arms and allow the party I have suffered for years to do injustice to members continuously. I will not accept that.
“As a prominent party member, I will not fold my hands and see injustices and wrong things being done; I insist, let’s go by the law. What does the party constitution say?”
Wike’s reaction came a day after the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, declared support for the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, amid the ongoing face-off between Wike and his successor, Fubara.
The crisis in Rivers State has also resulted in the balkanisation of the state’s House of Assembly, with Wike saying that the state’s legislative arm must be allowed to function.
According to him, it is “impunity and madness” for three lawmakers to constitute the Rivers Assembly and pass the state budget.
“I have clarified that the Rivers House of Assembly must work. You sit in your house and say three people will constitute an assembly. You say these people have defected; who pronounces defection?” You have gone to court several times, but you can wait for the court’s judgment,” he said.
Wike also used the opportunity of the live broadcast to restate his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
He assured that he would continue the pace of infrastructure development in the FCT and said that more would be seen in one year.
The Minister expressed delight that Tinubu had given him all the support he needed and that he had no excuse not to perform.
He added that he had given the marching order for rehabilitating some satellite roads, particularly the Jikwoyi-Orozo-Karshi Road.
