Clark Urges Wike to Leave PDP for Party to Survive
Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has called for the departure of Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure the party’s continued viability.
In an open letter to Umar Damagum, the PDP’s acting chairman, Clark expressed his determination to prevent Wike from undermining both the party and Rivers State. Clark accused Wike of leveraging his close ties with President Bola Tinubu to exert undue influence over Rivers State.
“Wike’s departure from the PDP is essential for the party’s survival,” Clark asserted. “Mr. Acting National Chairman, it is not only the PDP’s national legal adviser who is alarmed by your actions; all sincere and loyal party members, as well as many Nigerians, are equally troubled.”
Clark criticized the national chairman and the national secretary for allegedly aiding Wike’s attempts to destabilize the Rivers State government led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He noted that Wike’s actions, as revealed during a recent event in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, are an obvious attempt to undermine Fubara’s administration.
Clark argued that Wike’s efforts to dominate Rivers State violate constitutional principles. “Wike’s overreach is boundless and unconstitutional,” he stated, highlighting that his desire to control the state through his “structure” contravenes Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
Clark also reproached Damagum for attempting to legally validate the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who had left the PDP for the APC. He criticized Damagum’s legal actions as contradictory to Section 109 of the Constitution and accused him of collaborating with forces intent on sabotaging the PDP.
Wike-Fubara Conflict
Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara have been at odds for months, leading to a significant political rift in the Rivers State House of Assembly. In December, 27 assembly members defected from the PDP to the APC, leaving the assembly with 32 seats. Following the death of one member in September 2023, the assembly has been further polarized.
In October 2023, Ehie Edison was elected as the speaker of the factional assembly, succeeding Martin Amaewhule, who had led an effort to impeach Fubara. Edison later resigned his legislative position to become Fubara’s chief of staff. The faction loyal to Amaewhule aligns with Wike, further complicating the political landscape in Rivers State.
