The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched scathing criticisms against certain leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, branding them as “political buccaneers”.
Wike, who served as governor of the oil-rich South-South state from May 2015 to May 2023, directed his ire at PDP leaders in the state for publicly declaring their support for his former political protégé, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Last week, PDP stalwarts in Rivers State, including Abiye Sekibo, Uche Secondus, Celestine Omehia, and Austin Opara, publicly pledged their support for Fubara and urged President Bola Tinubu to rein in Wike.
In response on Tuesday, Wike dismissed Sekibo, Secondus, Omehia, and Opara as expired politicians unworthy of the title “elder statesmen”.
“The other day, I saw a political conference organized by transactional politicians. Political vampires, political buccaneers,” Wike remarked.
When reminded by journalists that those he criticized are regarded as elder statesmen, Wike retorted, “Do you know who is called an elder statesman? An elder statesman is someone who must have integrity; who must not be here today and be there tomorrow.”
Wike pointed out the irony of those who had previously withheld support for Fubara prior to the 2023 elections now pledging their allegiance to him after the polls.
He expressed disbelief at their sudden change of heart, citing their past petitions and rumors about Fubara’s credentials and affiliations.
Wike also raised questions about the political motivations behind the endorsement of Fubara by these leaders, accusing them of opportunism and self-interest.
“Today, they are not only serving a boy but they are waiting for him on the road. Do they have integrity? The same people who said this governor was a neophyte, how can they bring themselves to support him? They wrote a petition when this governor wanted to collect his certificate in PDP, they carried a rumour on how he became chairman and that he is being looked for by EFCC. They said he was not coming to PDP national secretariat but they were surprised that the governor went to the PDP secretariat,” the minister said.
Wike said he was aware of the “antics” of the PDP leaders. “He (Fubara) wants to be on his own with these political vampires who are always sucking. My pity for them.”
“They are calling Nigerians to support Tinubu. That me, I am a selfish person. All of them were in power but what did they do for their people?” he queried.
Furthermore, Wike addressed his strained relationship with former governor Peter Odili, acknowledging political differences that have led them to separate political camps.
He questioned Odili’s emergence as the “revered leader” of the PDP leaders in Rivers State, hinting at underlying tensions within the party’s ranks.
