PDP Spokesperson Calls For Removal Of Wike In Rivers state

By G9ija

Amid the escalating internal disagreements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Daniel Bwala, the spokesperson for the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, has put forward the idea that the federal government should impose a state of emergency on Rivers State in advance of the 2023 elections.

Speaking on Wednesday’s edition of the Arise TV Morning Show, Mr. Bwala argued that the only viable solution to the ongoing PDP crisis in the state is the removal of Governor Nyesom Wike.

He alleged that Governor Nyesom Wike’s “antics” may impede the conduct of free and fair elections in Rivers State.

Mr. Bwala stated that it is critical to entrench democracy in the state and that “if the chief executive officer of the state cannot allow a free and fair conduct, then the proper thing to do is to declare a state of emergency, remove him and conduct an election there, and this wouldn’t be new in Nigeria.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since former Vice President Atiku Abubakar won the party’s presidential primary, beating out runner-up Nyesom Wike.

Wike has since led a group of five governors known as the G5, who have accused the party’s northern leaders of violating the existing power rotation agreement between the northern and southern parts of Nigeria.

Governor Nyesom Wike has been leading a coalition of governors from Enugu, Abia, Benue, and Oyo states, namely Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom, and Seyi Makinde, respectively, who have consistently demanded the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

The group has been pushing for what they call a “regional balance” in the party’s leadership, as both Atiku and Mr Ayu hail from the northern part of Nigeria.

He further expressed confidence that the party’s presidential candidate will emerge victorious in the upcoming presidential elections in Rivers state. He also revealed that the reason why the PDP cancelled its planned presidential rally in the state was to prevent violence.

He added that the party’s candidate has “people that matter to deliver votes,” citing the party’s former National Chairman, Uche Secondus.