Publisher and Politician Dele Momodu has praised the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors for addressing internal disputes while advising Nyesom Wike to retreat from the escalating conflicts within the party.
Momodu, in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, expressed optimism following the recent actions taken by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors to address the internal crises within the party. In a statement, Momodu praised the governors for taking decisive steps, saying, “I believe that it is a very good start. If you had asked me this same question, this time yesterday, my response would have been different, but I’m happy that, finally, the PDP Governors’ Forum is rising up to its responsibilities.”
The PDP governors earlier directed members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to put an end to their disputes and work together in the interest of the party’s unity. After extensive consultations with the Board of Trustees and other party leaders, the governors emphasized the need for collaboration, stating that all suspensions within the NWC had been lifted with immediate effect.
“A lot of Nigerians have been troubled, at a time where opposition is largely needed, we have been found wanting,” Momodu lamented, highlighting the party’s failure to offer strong opposition in a critical period. He added, “I’m happy that the governor has suspended all suspensions.”
Momodu also commented on the delicate handling of Nyesom Wike, former Rivers State governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who has been at the centre of internal tensions.
“The crux of the matter has been that one of their former colleagues, now a minister in the FCT, is working for the APC in government, and they’ve been trying to manage him,” Momodu explained.
He acknowledged Wike’s past contributions to the party but noted that the recent fallout between Wike and his handpicked successor, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, came as a surprise. “Nobody expected the godfather and the godson to have any issues whatsoever,” Momodu said.
Momodu also credited President Bola Tinubu for his role in mediating the situation, urging both Wike and Fubara to revert to the status quo. “If I was in the shoes of Nyesom Wike, the moment the president intervened positively, I expected him to step back,” he remarked.
Despite this intervention, Momodu expressed disappointment that Wike did not withdraw from the escalating conflict, adding, “I don’t think anybody would have come back to control Wike when he was governor.”
Reflecting on his past warnings to Wike, Momodu said, “I wrote him letters in the last two years, copious letters, warning him about what would come because I’m a good student of history.” He advised Wike to focus on his ministerial duties in Abuja, cautioning that if Wike continues to hold on to PDP, “it’s either he will kill PDP or PDP will get rid of.”
In a final note, Momodu said, “If I had the power, I would have fired Wike long ago, but I don’t have the power… because the embarrassment to our party is unprecedented.”
The PDP governors’ actions signal an effort to restore unity within the party, a crucial step as they prepare for future political challenges.
Frances Ibiefo
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