Wike’ll make 2027 hard for Tinubu in Niger Delta – NIGER Delta youth open up
ABUJA- AHEAD of 2027 Presidential and general election, the NIGER Delta youth chapter of the Apex Socio political body of the South South Geo-political zone, Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF has warned that the actions of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Nyesom Wike will at the end of the day have a major set back on President Bola Tinubu’s political support in the Niger Delta.
Addressing Journalists yesterday in Abuja, the National Youth President of PANDEF Youth Wing, Doben Donyegha said that the Niger Delta Youths have given a 48-hour ultimatum to Wike to retract his public disparaging statements against the ijaw nation, and leaders of the socio-political body, just as they stressed that it was embarrassing that Wike insulted the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark even in death without respecting him.
The group said, “if he fails to apologize within 48 hours, we will take necessary actions. The Niger Delta and the entire South-South region stand united against his recklessness,” Donyegha warned.
According to PANDEF Youth Wing, Wike did not stop at attacking the Ijaw people but also disrespected their revered leader, Chief Edwin Clark, who has not yet been laid to rest, adding, “It is painful to us that Wike would show such utter disrespect to our late leader, Chief Edwin Clark, even before he is buried.”
The ultimatum calling on him for a public apology for his alleged insults was issued by the National Youth Leader of PANDEF, Don Ben Donyegha; Assistant National Youth Leader, Comrade Mathew Digi; and National Coordinator of Youth Affairs, Hon. Prince Oleh Victor.
PANDEF youths who gave the ultimatum, said that it was annoying that Wike abused the leaders of the South South Geo-political zone less than 24 hours after its delegation met with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Wike was accused of disrespecting the region’s elders, traditional rulers, and political figures and recounted how Wike once knelt before Clark to seek support for his gubernatorial ambition, only to later insult him. They declared that Wike would never attain the stature and legacy of Clark.
The youth leaders stated that Niger Delta youths will not remain silent while Wike continues to insult their leaders and undermine the region. They challenged him to visit Edo, Delta, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers States to see if he still commands the people’s respect.
Recall that the FCTA Minister had on Tuesday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organization anybody can rely on”, while also calling the Board of Trustee members of the body, “political merchants”.
Donyegha who also urged President Bola Tinubu, to immediately sack the Minister from his cabinet, said that the youth wing no longer had confidence in him, and that keeping Wike on his cabinet may affect the President’s re-election chances in the Niger Delta come 2027, adding, “Wike has insulted those who stood by him in the past. His presence in this administration is a liability, and his continued role threatens President Tinubu’s political future in 2027. The South-South will be very difficult for President Tinubu in 2027 because of the damage Wike has already done.
“We have no confidence in Wike. We are calling on President Tinubu to withdraw him as a minister and subject him to the investigation of the Code of Conduct Bureau for breaching various infractions in office.”
The President of the PANDEF youths who also asked the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB to investigate the Minister for alleged ethical infractions in office, said, “We have no confidence in Wike, and we demand that President Tinubu withdraw him as a minister and ensure he is held accountable for breaching ethical standards in public office,” Donyegha added.
Speaking on betrayal and disrespect, the PANDEF youth leaders expressed deep displeasure over Wike’s alleged history of betrayal and disregard for those who once supported his rise to power. They cited his past association with former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, who reportedly played a key role in his emergence as a political leader. Instead of showing gratitude, Wike allegedly turned against them and has continued to insult key figures from the Niger Delta.
The youth leaders recalled an incident during Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State, where he allegedly humiliated Ogoni leaders publicly after calling them to be recognized. Additionally, he was accused of disrespecting traditional rulers by summoning them to a public event only to insult them, even likening one of them to historical figures in a derogatory manner. This, they said, was not only an insult to the Niger Delta but also an affront to the Fulani ethnic group and their leadership.
Citing Wike’s alleged history of divisive politics and misconduct, the PANDEF youth leaders accused him of fueling instability in the Niger Delta. They claimed his arrogance and reckless behavior, allegedly exacerbated by alcohol abuse, have made him a threat to peace and development in the region.
The group criticized Wike’s response to a recent visit by prominent Niger Delta leaders to President Tinubu to facilitate peace in the region, particularly concerning the political crisis in Rivers State. According to them, instead of supporting their peace efforts, Wike dismissed the delegation as individuals seeking financial gain, a claim they described as “insulting and unacceptable.”
The group also recalled that as Governor of Rivers State, Wike had a history of making disparaging remarks, citing an incident where he gathered respected traditional rulers and insulted them, telling one of them that he looked like Uthman Dan Fodio.
According to PANDEF, Wike was deliberately stirring political instability in Rivers State, just as they alleged that he was using certain individuals to create disruptions in the state and undermine Governor Siminalayi Fubara, adding,
“Our leaders recently visited President Tinubu to promote peace in Rivers State, particularly to support Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is doing commendable work.
“Instead of supporting this effort, the FCT Minister insulted our respected elders, falsely claiming they were seeking financial gain. This level of disrespect is unacceptable, and as Niger Delta youths, we will not tolerate it.”
He emphasized that Wike has been abandoned by key political leaders in Rivers State, who are now rallying around Governor Fubara to ensure peace and stability.
The PANDEF Youth Wing while warning President Tinubu that Wike’s divisive politics could cost him critical support in the Niger Delta in 2027, Donyegha said, “Wike’s reckless actions are making it difficult for President Tinubu to maintain political goodwill in the South-South. If he is not removed, the region will be a tough battleground for the President in 2027.”
According to him, further Wike’s political survival depended on the same people he is now insulting,adding, “This is the same Wike who knelt before Chief Edwin Clark to seek support for his governorship ambition. Today, he turns around and insults the very people who helped him rise politically,”
Asking Wike to learn from President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, another prominent Niger Delta leader, whom they praised for exemplifying maturity and dignity in leadership, said, “we demand that Wike follow the example of Senator Godswill Akpabio, who has demonstrated true leadership and respect for his people.”
