The Governor of River state, Bar. Nyesom Wike has withdrawn his efforts at reconciling warring factions in Edo state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he cannot “work with sycophants in Edo PDP peace panel.”
Wike’s withdrawal is a clear sign that the PDP is far from resolving the crisis triggered by the defection of Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki to the party to contest the September governorship election following his disqualification by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike accused some members of the National Working Committee of the PDP of being sycophants and tax collectors who would never tell the truth.
The River state governor stated his reasons for backing out of the peace committee through a statement signed by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim on Tuesday.
He said the National Working Committee, instead of carrying everybody along in Edo State, resorted to using the media to blackmail him.
“I told them that in Edo State, we must handle the issue carefully and carry everybody along. They must respect human beings and not behave like tax collectors.
“They said because an order was obtained from a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, then I am responsible.
“I have had sleepless nights to resolve the issue in Edo State. The governors of Edo, Adamawa, and Delta states know what I have done to resolve the issues in Edo State. As a result of this senseless accusation, I have pulled out of Edo State settlement. My integrity matters.
“Nobody will rubbish me by raising false accusations against me. I will fight back,” Wike said, adding that he was no longer going to participate in any reconciliation.
“I am brought up not to accept injustice, and that is why I keep speaking out on national issues. Nobody in the PDP can intimidate Rivers State,” he said.
