• Berates FCT Minister on Ijaw comment
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The National Youth Wing of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to do away with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, citing his role in exacerbating tensions in the Niger Delta region.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, PANDEF National Youth Leader, Donben Donyegha, the group argued that Wike’s actions have not only damaged relations in Rivers State but may also jeopardise President Tinubu’s chances of re-election in 2027.
According to PANDEF, Wike’s influence could make the South-South region particularly challenging for Tinubu in the next election.
“His presence in the administration is a liability, and his continued role threatens President Tinubu’s political future in 2027. The South-South will be very difficult for President Tinubu in 2027 because of the damage Wike has already done,” Donyegha said.
Donyegha who briefed alongside Deputy National Youth Leader, Mathew Digi, and National Coordinator for Student Affairs, Oleh Victor, told President Tinubu that Wike has been deserted by all the leaders of Rivers State who he said want a peaceful Rivers State to enable Governor Siminalayi Fubara govern “because he is doing very well.”
He alleged that Wike was using certain individuals to cause disruption in the state and therefore demanded that President Tinubu should withdraw him as a minister.
The group also issued 48 hours ultimatum to the minister to tender unreserved apology for insulting the Ijaw Nation during his recent media chat.
Donyegha, criticised Wike for disparaging the Ijaw nation, which according to him, also extends to former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan, who they recalled played significant roles in Wike’s political rise.
“We are deeply displeased with the insults by some of our leaders overseeing the six Niger Delta states, and by extension, nine oil-producing states that sustain the nation’s economy. Their actions have left us saddened and angered. We demand an immediate retraction and apology from those who have disrespected this generation.
“A certain leader has made offensive remarks and insulted those who supported him in the past. We insist that within 48 hours, he must issue a public apology”, the group said.
The socio-cultural group particularly took exception to Wike referring to PANDEF as the “worst organization to rely on.”
“Our leaders recently visited the President to promote peace in the region, particularly between the Governor of Rivers State, who is doing commendable work, and the FCT Minister.
“However, instead of supporting this effort, the FCT Minister disparaged our elders, falsely claiming they were seeking financial gain.
“Such act of disrespect will not be tolerated. As Niger Delta youths, we will not tolerate this insult on our leaders. His claims that the region is powerless are baseless. We challenge him to visit the Niger Delta, including Edo, Delta, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers states.
His behaviour is a disgrace to the President’s administration, and we call for his immediate removal as FCT Minister.”
The group expressed deep pain over Wike’s disrespect towards the late leader, Edwin Clark, even before his burial. The group also highlighted the minister’s past behaviour as Governor of Rivers State, where he allegedly insulted traditional rulers, including a notable incident where he compared the hat one of them to Uthman Dan Fodio. This behaviour, they noted, reflects a disturbing pattern of disrespect and arrogance.
Donyegha further recalled that the same Wike had knelt down before Clark in the past to seek support for his governorship ambition. The group admonished him to emulate Senate President Godswill Akpabio, another political leader from the Niger Delta who the group said had conducted himself in decent manner.
“We have no confidence in Wike. We are calling on President Tinubu to withdraw him as a minister and subject him to the investigation of the Code of Conduct Bureau for various infractions in office,” he said.