A former National Legal Adviser of the People’s Democratic Party, Barr Emmanuel Enoidem (SAN) has lampooned the Minister of FCT and former Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike over the political instability in Rivers State.
Enoidem stated this when he played host to the Conference of Online Publishers (COOPA), at his residence in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Friday 17 May, 2024.
He noted that Wike’s overbearing influence while serving as an influential PDP Governor made the then Cross River State Governor, Mr Ben Ayade and his Ebonyi State counter, Mr Dave Umahi leave the party for the ruling APC.
He also observed that the attitude of the former Governor made it difficult for him to accept contrary opinions which he said is against any known democratic tenet.
“Rivers state has been emancipated from Wike’s slavery and high handedness. It is a contradiction, nevertheless, what is happening isn’t a surprise as Mr. Wike is tolerant of contrary views and may wish to lord it over Governor Fubara”.
“Former Governor Wike does not allow a contrary opinion and that isn’t allowed in democracy.
Ben Ayade and Dave Umahi both left the PDP because of Wike’s overbearing influence. He even castigated both Governors Umahi Ayade for taking PDP’s vote to APC”.
“Fubara worked under him and studied how he was able to use power, I am sure that Governor Fubara learnt a thing or two from him on what to do with power, but above all, Rivers State has been emancipated from Wike’s stronghold.”
On whether the Minister is still a member of PDP, Enoidem opined that it will be politically and morally wrong for the former Governor to claim membership of PDP.
“A member of PDP cannot for any reason publicly endorse and work for a candidate of another political party as Wike did in 2023. A member of PDP cannot openly promise to support the presidential candidate of another political party in 2027 as Wike and his group have done. This sort of attitude is against all known tenets of democracy and party politics.
“This is a clear case of anti party activities which by the express provisions of the PDP constitution deserve outright expulsion from the party”.
“What lesson in party politics and democracy is this group of persons passing on to the younger generations. It is morally and politically incorrect and unacceptable for them to claim to be in PDP while supporting the candidate of another political party”.
“It would be honorable for them to leave the party and join APC if they have compelling reason to support the APC’s presidential candidate which is within their rights. Otherwise the whole show clearly smacks of political brigandage, moral debauchery and social depravity” he reasoned.”