‘Signs of fear’: PDP claims Wike is losing control of Rivers politics

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (2nd l), governor of Rivers State, his deputy and Rivers West senatorial candidate, Ipalibo Harry-Banigo (2nd r); Rivers State PDP governorship candidate, Siminialayi Fubara (1st l) and Senator Olaka Nwogu (1st right) at the flag-off rally of the Rivers State PDP campaign for Degema Local Government Area in Degema town.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday said Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is uneasy about what it described as a loss of political control in Rivers state.

In a statement, PDP spokesperson Ini Ememobong said comments made by Wike during an end-of-year media chat showed “obvious signs of fear” over his standing in Rivers and his relationship with President Bola Tinubu.

“All through the interview, minister Wike showed obvious signs of fear of losing the attention of the President and his slipping grip of Rivers State,” Ememobong said.

The statement followed the defection of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier this month.

The PDP said Wike opposed the move, which shifted the state’s political structure from the opposition party to the APC.

Last week, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who led a federal government delegation to Rivers state, told Fubara that President Tinubu was “very happy” with him.

Wike later criticised politicians visiting Rivers state to publicly associate the governor with the President, saying they were seeking access to public funds.

“Everybody who comes to Rivers state today must say, ‘the president is happy with you,’ and they collect,” Wike said at a political gathering on Saturday.

The PDP said Wike’s public support for Tinubu while still claiming membership of the party amounted to anti-party activity.

“His repeated public declaration of loyalty to the APC-led government confirms the basis of disciplinary actions taken against him,” Ememobong said.

The party also accused Wike of fueling internal crises within the PDP over the years.

“Since 2015, Wike has been a recurrent factor in leadership crises in the PDP,” the statement said.

The PDP said its national leadership is working to resolve internal disputes and reposition the party ahead of future elections.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

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