Wike replied as Fayose says, ‘If a Governor says he will put fire in my state, it is either I’m not strong at home’

By OUR REPORTER

On the current PDP situation, the former governor described it as embarrassing, adding that the party was haunted by its loss of 2023 election to the APC – which Wike has boasted not regretting for being part of – but Fayose regretted the crisis rocking the former leading party in Nigeria.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has reacted to Former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s recent statement threatening to “put fire” in the state of any Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor, who supports his successor Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaking on Channels TV Sunday Politics night of Sunday October 13, 2024, Fayose did not mince words in addressing Wike’s aggressive remarks.

“If a governor or former governor says he will put fire in my state, it is either I am not strong at home or I have lost control in my state,” Fayose said in a viral video shared online.

The former Ekiti governor’s comments was coming after Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) a position he got as compensation for his anti-party activities in favour of Bola Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress (APC), made the controversial statement during a recent political gathering.

The Nyesom Wike’s threat was seen as a direct warning to PDP governors who might lend their support to Fubara, his political rival.

Fayose, known for his outspoken nature, did not shy away from addressing Wike’s comments head-on.

“If you are a strong governor, no one can come to your state and put fire,” he asserted.

On the current PDP situation, the former governor described it as embarrassing, adding that the party was haunted by its loss of 2023 election to the APC – which Wike has boasted not regretting for being part of – but Fayose regretted the crisis rocking the former leading party in Nigeria.

He said that the suspension and counter-suspension within the party has brought the party too low to the level of embarrassment which according to him is not necessary.

”The current situation in our party has made a mockery of suspension and counter-suspension, especially at that level of leadership,” Fayose said on the Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on October 13.

“And sadly now, the current situation in the party has taken the party so low to the level of embarrassment that is most unnecessary.”

According to Fayose, it will need divine intervention for the PDP to hold together again as a strong political party that will challenge the top political positions in the country.

“The mismanagement and arrogance of a few today is haunting the party and they say when the head is sick the whole body is gone. So, it will need God’s intervention, it will need a miracle for this party to be put together again,” he said.

On Friday October 11, a Federal High Court in Abuja barred the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) from removing Umar Damagum as the Acting National Chairman of the party, a ruling Fayose said has tied the hands of everyone in the party.

Asked whether Damagum should step aside, Fayose said whatever his suggestion is at the moment won’t matter because a court of law has taken a decision on the matter.

Fayose also debunked reports that he had declared interest in becoming the national chairman of the PDP, saying that the position is too hot for his age now. He said he does not want to seek any position in the party either now or soon.

“There was a write-up going around yesterday that I have declared for national chairman. That is an irresponsible statement that is not from me and will never be from me.

“I don’t even want to be anything in the party anymore, I don’t even want an appointment of any sort. I never said I have declared for national chairman of the party – God forbid, that seat is too hot for my age now. I don’t want such and I will never aspire for such,” Fayose said.

Wike, Fubara fight unfortunate
The PDP crisis also extended to Rivers State where the governor Siminalayi Fubara has been in a running battle for the soul of the party in the state with his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

When their relationship was still good, Fayose had advised Fubara in a video that later went viral never to have a disagreement with Wike.

However, the relationship between the political father and son later went sour and Fayose has described the situation as “very unfortunate”.

I said all I said in good faith. All I said was to ensure there is harmony between Governor Fubara and Governor Wike, but the turnout of events has given everybody a lot of concern.

Fayose also expressed fear that the Wike and Fubara case has gone beyond reconciliation, saying, “The crisis is very, very unfortunate. I believe that the matter has crossed the Rubicon, the matter has gone far.

“Even if you want to resolve this matter, how do you put the trust back? So, I would rather want to believe that it is too far for a call for reconciliation.”