The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new twist as Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State dares the party’s leadership to suspend him.
Governor Wike, who was answering questions from select journalists during a chat on Friday in Rivers State, said the party’s leadership knows what he is capable of.
“I beg them today, they should not waste time to suspend me,” said the governor during the media chat held at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
“They should call a National Executive Committee (NEC) – meeting – now and say ‘you are now suspended from the party’. Anything you see, you take. They know what I will do.”
The governor has been in the news recently, but this time, criticising his political party on whose platform he was elected governor for two terms.
Ahead of the general elections, he announced his bid to join the race for President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor when the President completes his term.
But the governor lost the PDP presidential ticket after scoring 237 votes to come behind former Vice President Atiku who polled 371 votes to win the party’s primary conducted in May.
Weeks after the presidential primary was held, Atiku named Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate.
While Governor Wike said he had accepted the outcome of the primary in good faith, he insisted that Senator Iyorchia Ayu must resign as the party’s national chairman for the sake of equity since a northern presidential candidate has emerged.
His actions, however, are said to have been perceived by some as anti-party activities amid speculations that the PDP leadership might be planning to sanction him.
Asked how he would react if he was to be sanctioned, Governor Wike responded, “Who will suspend me, which party? No problem … what do you think is our job here?
“My job here is not only (to execute) projects; I am not saying I am bigger than the party, but those who ran away from the party cannot suspend me from the party.”
Other aspirants in the primary included former Senate President Bukola Saraki (70); Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel (38), Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed (38), Former Senate President Pius Anyim (14), Mrs Tari Diana Oliver (One), and Mr Sam Ohuabunwa (One).