Nobody Is Above This Party, PDP Tells Wike

The Peoples Democratic Party has confronted the former Rivers State Governor and current Minister ofthe Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, asserting that no one is above the party.

During the PDP state congress at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike warned PDP governors to avoid interfering in the party’s matters in Rivers State, and issued a threat. “put fire in their states.”

He stated, “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give back to somebody.”

Responding to Wike at the ongoing press conference in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba stated ” What I can tell you is that nobody is above this party. It is the Peoples Democratic Party.

“What we have done is set up bodies (reconciliation and disciplinary committees) and given them the mandate to do the job. We will wait for their report,” he added.

Responding to Wike, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in a press conference on Monday in Abuja stated, ” We believe, and I will say this, that the Governors’ Forum remains one of the most potent organs of this party. We recognize and salute their courage and their contributions to the development of the party. We acknowledge their stabilizing role and their reconciliatory efforts for the party.

“There is a connection between Nigerians and the PDP because it is called the Peoples Democratic Party. It is not a party of joiners, people who just came together for business or special purposes. It was founded on values, principles, and vision, which are well stated. The Governors’ Forum is a body with its own regulations, and they address issues like this as they arise, particularly when they concern them. I respect the Governors’ Forum and believe they will address the matter.

“What we know is that nobody is above this party, and we must take that to heart. It’s like justice: the wheel of justice grinds slowly but ultimately grinds well.

“We urge our governors to do what is necessary to ensure stability in their states. The only way they can achieve stability is through performance. If you compare PDP governors with governors from other parties, you will find that PDP governors are clearly oases of development.”

Ologunagba praised the PDP governors for their development achievements despite economic challenges and assured them that the party would soon reach a resolution regarding its unity through the reconciliation and disciplinary committees.

He stated, “So, to that extent, what we are telling you is the following: this party is bigger than any individual. This is why the PDP National Executive Committee, for example, directed the establishment of two bodies: the reconciliation and disciplinary committees.”

In response to a question about whether the PDP disciplinary committee invited Wike, Ologunagba stated that the committee led by Tom Ikimi has the authority to invite any party member.

He stated “They have their terms of reference. We provided them with terms of reference, and we do not intervene in their work. We know they are men of quality and integrity.

“In their wisdom, each of the committees can invite any party member to speak to them in one way or another. They can then make a determination and provide recommendations in their report to the NWC, which we will consider. We will then present their recommendations to the NEC for approval or amendment by the committee.”