Wike, Rivers gov absent as PDP holds stakeholders meeting in Abuja

The former Rivers State Governor and Minister-nominee, Nyesome Wike and the State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, was absent on Saturday when stakeholders of their party

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and leaders of the party including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, met in Abuja to deliberate on the fate of the party.

At the meeting, the PDP leaders renewed their commitment to discipline in the interest of the party.

Although no reason was given for Governor Fubara’s absence, a party source said the Rivers helmsman is still playing the loyalty card, having been advised by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike not to shoulder the party’s financial responsibilities.

“The Rivers Governor didn’t give a reason for his absence but his political mentor and the former Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike has not mended fences with the PDP and is unlikely to do so. This perhaps explained why he was away. He (Fubara) was said to have been advised by Wike not to spend money on the party like he (Wike) did while he was in power,” he told Saturday PUNCH in confidence.

Reading the communique, Gov Mohammed said, “The meeting emphasized the need for party discipline and reiterated zero tolerance for anti-party activities and sabotage. No individual or group of individuals will be allowed to undermine the unity of the party and its processes.

“The meeting committed to repositioning and stabilizing the party. To this end, the healing and reconciliation process is in progress and yielding results.

“The meeting signaled that unity and loyalty are still core values of the PDP and would be rewarded.

“All the Governors and organs of the party solidly support the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, to rescue the stolen mandate in the tribunal and would do everything lawful towards achieving this.

“The Governors will work in partnership with the party at the states and national level to ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability.

“The meeting congratulated the party for impaneling the campaign councils for the off-session elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States and urged the campaign councils to ensure victory for the party in the three States.”