Robinson Ewor, acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, has accused Nyesom Wike, former governor of the state and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, of deliberately instigating and sustaining the crisis within the party for personal political gain.
Speaking on Arise TV on Monday, Mr Ewor alleged that Wike’s actions since the 2023 general election have been aimed at destabilising the PDP after he failed to secure the party’s presidential ticket, which was won by Atiku Abubakar. He claimed that Wike also expected to be selected as vice presidential candidate and began working against the party when that didn’t happen.
“Wike wanted to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and he submitted to the primaries of the party, but Atiku won the party’s ticket. Thereafter, Wike wanted to be the vice presidential candidate, but because Atiku did not pick him, Wike started the crisis in PDP,” Mr Ewor said.
He further accused Wike of forming the group known as the “G5 Governors” with the intent to damage the PDP’s chances in the election. Despite the setbacks of 2023, Ewor said the PDP is focused on rebuilding and uniting its members but insisted that Wike is not part of that process.
According to the Rivers PDP chairman, Wike no longer has the moral ground to offer advice to the party. “How do you advise the party, which you are no longer a member? How do you advise people you’re busy destroying?” he asked.
Mr Ewor also pointed to ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, stating that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has become a target simply because he refuses to allow Wike control over the state’s political structures. He claimed that Wike’s motive is to manipulate these structures to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Although Wike has not formally left the PDP, he has consistently criticised the party’s leadership since his appointment as a minister under the APC-led government. Last week, Wike declared on live television that he was ready for a “fight to finish” within the PDP, vowing to confront any opposition he faces.
He has also been linked to efforts aimed at undermining Governor Fubara’s position, including alleged involvement in attempts to suspend the governor and impose a state of emergency in the state.
