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•Lists conditions in which he would appear in court as witness for IPOB leader
•Describes Bayelsa gov’s defection to APC as shameful
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has attributed the current crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to internal self-destruction, dismissing claims of the All Progressive Congress (APC’s) involvement.
This is even as he described as shameful the resignation of Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri resignation from the opposition party
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, Wike stated emphatically: “Let me just tell you this, when Buhari was in power, there was nothing the government then did not do for PDP to scatter. There was nothing. In fact, Modu Sherriff was being used to scatter PDP then. But we stood firm and made sure the party was strong. Now, there is not even any attempt by any government to try to pull the party down, you are the one, on your own, destroying the party. ”
He rebuffed allegations that the APC is orchestrating the turmoil in PDP. He queried: “Who claimed? Who is pursuing whom? I had the major threat as a governor. That, alone, would have made me to say okay, let me better go and enjoy, to save my head. Is that not correct? There was no governor that was fought the way the government fought me at that time. ”
Wike challenged PDP members to take responsibility rather than blame external forces.
“The point I am making now is that every day you say APC. Everyday you say why do we have to allow a one-party state? Are you telling me that it is the duty of the ruling party to beg you to put your house in order so that we won’t have a one-party state? Who does that? ”
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On the conduct of the PDP convention, he asserted, “If a proper convention is to be held, why won’t I go? But I won’t go to a convention I know there are lots of illegalities. How do you expect me to attend a convention I know by law, that there is no convention? ”
Addressing suggestions that Governor Seyi Makinde was at the root of the party’s disunity, Wike countered: “Is Seyi Makinde the problem? He has been the one galvanising support? In which state has he galvanised the support that we are losing governors every day?”
On the Jonathan presidency, Wike disclosed: “You are the one telling me here. Jonathan has never told me, he has never called me one day, that look, I’m being pressured to run. But if he calls me and asks me, I will be able to tell him my mind about what I feel. ”
On emerging party leadership claims, Wike said:, “I don’t know about Tanimu Turaki becoming Chairman. I don’t know about that. Maybe he will become the Chairman for another faction. It’s not the PDP I know. ” Wike also addressed his unexpected listing as a witness in the terrorism trial of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He questioned the inclusion of his name without his consent, stating, “If you see Nnamdi Kanu, you ask him why did he list me? I did not go to say I want to be a witness. So if you see him ask him why did you list Wike as one of your witnesses? ”
The minister clarified that he has not been officially served any subpoena or court process, adding, “You don’t become a witness by reading newspapers. Nobody has sent me any process. Nobody has subpoenaed me. If I am subpoenaed to come and give witness or give evidence, I must obey the court. I must appear but not appear on the pages of newspaper. ”
He concluded firmly, “He who chooses me there, you should ask him the question. But if I am invited, if I am subpoenaed to come, go home and sleep. I will be there. ”
Recent court documents reveal Kanu has named 23 witnesses to support his defence, including prominent figures such as former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, retired General Theophilus Danjuma, and Minister Wike himself.
