Wike threatens showdown over suspension his political allies

Fayose is an ally of the Rivers State governor.

Wike told the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that its decision to suspend his supporters was off course.

He said he was neither told his offence nor given an opportunity to defend himself before a disciplinary action was taken against him.

Wike and his colleagues in the G-5 (Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia) are opposed to PDP’s  ceding of its presidential ticket and national chairmanship of the party to the North.

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They consequently opted out of the campaign of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and called for the resignation of the chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

Wike, speaking yesterday during the inauguration of the State PDP Campaign Council in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of the state, said the suspension of party members loyal to the G-5 governors would not help the PDP in the February/March elections.

He branded the dissolution of the Ekiti State executive committee of the PDP as an act of tyranny that would be challenged in court.

He branded the dissolution of the Ekiti State executive committee of the PDP as an act of tyranny that would be challenged in court.

He dared Ayu to suspend him or any of his colleagues in the G-5.

He said: “Let me also use this opportunity to say to Iyorchia Ayu and his team, your dissolving Ekiti State Exco will not help you in any way. Your suspending people will not help you in any way.

“The battle line has been fully drawn. As I speak to you, we will do everything legally possible to challenge any decision we know is illegal.

“So, don’t think you can threaten people by saying so, so persons have been suspended. Rubbish! Complete rubbish! We are above that level that you think you can threaten anybody; intimidate anybody with whatever illegal decision you have taken.”

Continuing, Wike said: “We are waiting for you to announce my own and any other of my friends. Like I have said, when a man says you will not sleep, he too, will he sleep? Will Ayu sleep? Will those his cohorts sleep?

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“So don’t worry, we have the capacity to pay back.  We have the capacity to tell you that enough is enough.

“You are doing what will give you more headaches as far as this election is concerned. We are watching and we are waiting for you to announce more of my friends.

“When a man says you will not sleep, will he sleep too? Will Ayu sleep?”

Wike urged Rivers electorate in Khana to vote for the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the national and legislative candidates in the 2023 general election to consolidate on the achievements of his administration.

Fayose’s son, Ajijola, five others reject suspension

Seven National Assembly candidates of the PDP in Ekiti State yesterday rejected their suspension by the party’s NWC.

They are all loyalists of Mr. Fayose and one of them, Oluwajomiloju, is even his son.

The younger Fayose is seeking election into the House of Representatives from Ekiti Central I.

The other suspended chieftains include Ayeni Funso and Ajijola Lateef, senatorial candidates for Ekiti North and Central respectively.

Others are Emiola Jennifer (Ekiti South II), Ajayi Samuel (Ekiti North II), Olayinka Olalere (Ekiti Central II) and Yinka Akerele (Ekiti North I).

The Nation