Imo APC Chairman To Wike: You Are A Threat To Nigeria’s Democracy

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State Chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, has described the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

He stressed that the minister could not belong to both the PDP and the APC simultaneously, advising him to choose one.

Chief Onyedebelu made this known while addressing newsmen.

“There is no provision in the Electoral Act that says one can be a member of two political parties at the same time.

“If Wike wants to work for Mr. President, he should join his train. You cannot be at the end of two roads and say you are heading east,” he stated.

Onyedebelu accused Wike of using the Rainbow Coalition to revive the PDP and sustain his alleged presidential ambition.

The Imo State APC chairman said that the APC, through its governors, had made its position on the coalition clear, adding that Wike reacted by criticising APC leaders, including Uzodimma.

Onyedebelu further alleged that Wike’s actions were driven by ulterior motives, which, according to him, only visionary politicians such as Uzodimma could decipher.

Onyedebelu urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wike, to formally join the APC in order to integrate fully into the party.

He emphasised that if Wike genuinely wants to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, he would not hesitate to join the president’s party.

A rift has emerged between the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and the Wike-led Rainbow Coalition.

Barr. Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the coalition is a channel to secure President Tinubu’s second term, while the Uzodimma-led group perceives the arrangement as capable of weakening the APC’s influence.

He advised Wike to stop what he described as attempts to abuse APC leaders, particularly Uzodimma, saying such actions amounted to undermining Nigeria’s democracy.

However, Eze Madumere, a former Deputy Governor of Imo State and PDP senatorial candidate for Imo East, said that Wike remained an exceptional politician.

Madumere said Wike’s political approach reflected the beauty of democracy, as he had charted a course for those who believed in the Rainbow Coalition.

According to him, Wike had, from the outset, made it clear that his political vision was to support Tinubu, a position he demonstrated through the G5 governors during the 2023 general elections.

The PDP chieftain said Wike had been consistent and explicit in declaring his support for Tinubu’s presidency.

“I believe we are practising democracy, and in a democratic dispensation, everybody is free to ventilate and express his views.

“This is the beauty of every democratic dispensation. The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has charted a course for those who believe in the Rainbow Coalition and has not hidden his quest to propagate the same.

“Barr. Wike, from inception, made it known that his concept and vision was to support President Bola Tinubu, which he demonstrated in the first term of President Tinubu through the G5 governors.

“Barr. Wike, this time around, made it categorically clear that the Rainbow Coalition will support President Tinubu’s re-election with the Rainbow Coalition structure, and since he is a member of the PDP and an apex leader, he will support contestants in his party, the PDP, for other categories of the election.

“Barr. Wike was explicit in the presentation of this trajectory. My people have a saying: ‘You don’t touch the tail of a lion, even when he is asleep.’

“Barr. Wike has made his position absolutely clear, and when you rattle the tail of a snake, you must expect reactions.

“Barr. Wike is working for President Tinubu at the presidential level and has not disturbed the Progressives Governors Forum under the leadership of Hope Uzodimma. The President, without doubt, believes in the capacity, acumen and dexterity of Barr. Wike to deliver successfully.

“This, as expected, may attract envy and jealousy. I advise that we concentrate on and mobilise the citizenry and electorate by presenting our blueprint and convincing them on why they should vote for us, rather than pushing the wind. This is my candid submission.”