Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has clarified his involvement in the removal of Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). At a PDP event in Rivers State, Wike stated that his actions were motivated by Secondus’ opposition to Siminalayi Fubara’s bid for the governorship in 2023. Wike revealed that Secondus was advocating for his cousin, Tele Ikuru, to receive the PDP nomination for the governorship, which Wike could not accept. This was the main reason he pushed for Secondus’ ousting from party leadership.
Wike also mentioned the ongoing disputes between himself and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing Secondus and former Rivers Governor Celestine Omehia of hypocrisy. He claimed that they only started supporting Fubara after gaining personal advantages from their connections. Although Wike had previously been a strong ally of Fubara, he argued that Secondus and Omehia were the actual adversaries of the governor, rather than himself. He criticized their current allegiance to Fubara as disingenuous.
“I heard Secondus recently in Bori, saying I awarded the Bori Internal Road as governor. I contributed 50% with the hope that we had a governor we all supported to continue the projects,” Wike stated.
He further reflected on Secondus’ claims, saying, “Secondus claimed his enemies are the governor’s enemies. But who are the actual enemies of the governor? Secondus, who initially opposed him taking office and wanted his cousin, Tele Ikuru, to be in that position?”
“I facilitated Secondus’ removal as PDP National Chairman when he attempted to impose his cousin as governor. Now he calls himself the governor’s friend while labeling me the enemy. To God be the glory,” Wike concluded.
