We will show Wike he’s not above us — PDP Chairman
…Says Wike, other erring party members’ll be sanctioned
Chris Uba
The former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT), Nyesom Wike, is not above our party, according to the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, who also said that the FCT minister and other erring members of the party would be sanctioned at the appropriate time.
Damagum who spoke during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday said that the party leadership will sanction Wike and others who were involved in anti-party activities at the right time.
This is coming on the heels of the admonition by some stakeholders within the PDP asking Damagum to sanction Wike and others for alleged anti-party activities during the just-concluded general elections.
Damagum said, “Our stand about Wike, I have always said this thing that as long as you are a member of the PDP, there is a time for everything. My duty is to stabilise this party and not to cause crisis. And I will continue to do that within the confines of reason.
“When things go out of hand, we will act. But meanwhile, we still see it within the ambit of the law. Mind you, we have other litigation going on in this party and we won’t want to plunge our party into another crisis.
“And let me tell you something, it’s not only Wike, there are other people who worked against this party. When we get to that level we will sanction everybody. If Wike believes he is above this party, we will be able to show him that he is not above this party.”
Damagum, who noted that there was never a time Wike said he is not a member of the PDP, added that the party’s yet-to-be-inaugurated 2023 review committee will present a report and recommend appropriate sanctions against those involved in anti-party activities.
“They are to review what happened in 2023 and come out with a report not only about one person, but every person who has in one way or another engaged in anti-party. Then after that, we will see what kind of measure to take”, he added.
Meanwhile as the crisis in Rivers State deepens, the factional chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, Emeka Beke has said that Wike, should not be allowed to destroy the Rivers APC as he has destroyed PDP in the state.
Beke who stated this in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday,said “the state has to remain at peace. Fubara has been elected as governor of Rivers State. That mandate that was given to him by the Rivers people, they should allow him to do it. The claimed lawmakers who claim they have joined the party, there is a process for you to join a political party.
“Are we in anarchy where people will not follow due process? If you want to join a political party, you must start from your unit. You just don’t jump from somewhere and say you are a member of a political party.
“Whatever is happening, Sim Fubara is the governor of the state, they should allow him to govern the state. Investors are leaving the state because of one crisis or the other. Is that what we are going to be experiencing in the next eight years?
“Wike has finished his tenure as governor. He should go and face his ministerial appointment in Abuja and allow Rivers state to have peace. He has destroyed PDP and is now coming to destroy APC.”
