PDP, Wike’s Aide Fire Back As Imo APC Calls Minister Threat To Democracy

By Igho Oyoyo, Abuja, And Emmanuel Mgbeahurike, Owerri

The rift between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors over his Rainbow Coalition’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid took a fresh twist as the APC in Imo State described the minister as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

The claim, however, was met with a rebuke from the minister’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, and the PDP in Imo State, which declared that the APC was the real threat to the country’s democracy.

Barely hours after the national leadership of the APC rose from a retreat in Borno State and declared that it would back its governors’ stance on the Rainbow Coalition, the Imo State APC Chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, described Wike as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

He stressed that the minister could not belong to the PDP and the APC simultaneously, while advising him to choose one. Chief Onyedebelu made this known while addressing newsmen.

“There is no provision in the Electoral Act that says one can be a member of two political parties at the same time.

“If Wike wants to work for Mr President, he should join his train. You cannot be at the end of two roads and say you are heading east,” he stated.

Onyedebelu accused Wike of using the Rainbow Coalition to revive the PDP and sustain his alleged presidential ambition.

The Imo State APC chairman said that the APC, through its governors, had made its position on the coalition clear, adding that Wike reacted by criticising APC leaders, including Uzodimma.

Onyedebelu further alleged that Wike’s actions were driven by ulterior motives, which, according to him, only visionary politicians such as Uzodimma could decipher.

Onyedebelu urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wike, to formally join the APC so as to integrate formally.

Reacting to the APC’s position in Imo, the FCT minister’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, said, “It is not every dog that is barking on the road that you throw stones at.”

However, the PDP in Imo State submitted that those against the Rainbow Coalition were the real threat to the nation’s democracy.

The Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Lancelot Obiaku, while interacting with LEADERSHIP, said democracy allows the citizenry to choose based on credibility and acceptability, adding that those who choose to narrow down the political space are the real threat to the nation’s political dispensation.

“We, the PDP, are the true Democrats and have allowed the citizens to make informed decisions and will continue to support this trajectory. The political space is wide enough to accommodate all and sundry. If you decide to narrow down the space, you are the real enemy of democracy.”

He added that the PDP’s position was the same as that of its national leader, Wike, who, according to him, had stated clearly that the PDP was supporting the President and had not promised any other position.

“Our party, the PDP, enlisted candidates in all other elective positions. These candidates are all strong contenders and we are sure to emerge victorious.

“We are minding our business and going about campaigning for our candidates, who, we assure you, have credibility and pedigree. We wonder why people are afraid of the PDP; probably they thought we were dead. To their astonishment, we have resurrected to the glory of God.

“I wish all parties good luck as we take our rightful position in the nation’s political landscape. The Rainbow Coalition has come to stay. If you have the capacity, acumen and dexterity, this is the time to prove same. We support in its entirety the position of our national leader, Barr. Wike, in this respect,” he said.

Also, a former Deputy Governor of Imo State and PDP senatorial candidate for Imo East, Eze Madumere, said that Wike remained an exceptional politician.

Madumere said Wike’s political approach reflected the beauty of democracy, as he had charted a course for those who believed in the Rainbow Coalition.

According to him, Wike had, from the outset, made it clear that his political vision was to support Tinubu, a position he demonstrated through the G5 governors during the 2023 general elections.

The PDP chieftain said Wike had been consistent and explicit in declaring his support for Tinubu’s presidency.

“I believe we are practising democracy, and in a democratic dispensation, everybody is free to ventilate and bring out his views.

“This is the beauty of every democratic dispensation. The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has charted a course for those who believe in the Rainbow Coalition and has not hidden his quest to propagate same,” he said.