Senator Chris Ekpenyong, a key figure in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed doubts about Nyesom Wike’s ability to challenge the party’s authority. His remarks come after Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State governor, issued a warning to PDP governors, threatening to create unrest in their states if they continued to meddle in Rivers State’s affairs. Ekpenyong questioned the wisdom behind such threats, viewing them as an overreach by Wike.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
In a report by Vanguard, Ekpenyong, who represented Akwa Ibom Northwest in the 9th Senate, expressed concern over Wike’s confrontational approach toward the PDP. He noted that as someone relatively new to the party, Wike’s attempts to dictate terms to the party’s established leadership seemed misguided. Ekpenyong suggested that Wike’s actions may be seen as overstepping his bounds, especially since he was not involved in the founding of the PDP.
While reflecting on the party’s history, Ekpenyong expressed regret that Wike, who had no hand in the PDP’s creation, was now positioning himself as a key challenger to its leadership. He stressed that this departure from the party’s founding values had contributed to internal discord, making it difficult for the party to remain unified and focused on its original mission. Ekpenyong lamented that these dynamics were weakening the party from within.
The senator further warned that the PDP’s internal instability could worsen if individuals like Wike are allowed to dominate the political discourse. He argued that political evolution should be a collective
effort driven by the people rather than individuals seeking personal control. In his view, a party led by figures focused on consolidating personal power could risk collapse under the weight of internal divisions.
Ekpenyong also questioned Wike’s motives, particularly his apparent desire to exert influence over his successor in Rivers State. He expressed concerns that Wike might be attempting to maintain control of state politics by pressuring the new governor to remain subservient to him. This, Ekpenyong suggested, could be an unhealthy dynamic for Rivers State governance.In his closing remarks, Ekpenyong emphasized the need for political parties to embrace collective leadership and allow the people to shape their evolution. He warned that any party allowing individuals to dominate its agenda could face internal collapse.
He said, “why will Wike come and say I own PDP, and I will fight anybody who interferes in Rivers?. Did he want the governor of Rivers State to be his houseboy?. Even a Houseboy has liberty”…
