Wabara: PDP’s Posture on Fubara a strong message

● Says PDP ready to defend democracy

By PHC Telegraph

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP,  Senator Adolphus Wabara has described the resolve of PDP Governors to rally behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State as a strong message.

Reacting to the pronouncement of his party’s Governors, Wabara said it was rather provocative and undemocratic for any to think that turning a serving Governor to a puppet is right.

Thr BoT Chairman also declared that idea to muscle a democratically elected Governor to yield to the persuasion of forces outside his government  is completely unacceptable.

“I sincerely commend the PDP Governors for speaking with one voice and solidarising with one of their own”, Wabara remarked.

“This is a strong message that the PDP is united and will not waver in its resolve to defend democracy.

“It is highly provocative, undemocratic, and unacceptable for anybody to think a sitting Governor will be turned into a puppet for whatever reasons”, the Senator stressed.

Fubara has been engaged in a fierce fight with his predecessor and political godfather Barrister Nyesom Wike.

Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has been battling for more than a year to break down the defences of his political godson and establish control over the affairs of the oil rich State.

Supported by a great majority of Rivers people, the Governor in defense of the mandate given to him and his right to take critical decisions regarding the governance of the State has stood tall against pro-Wike forces who have deployed every arsenal in their possession in an effort to destabilize his administration.

Fubara said the other day while addressing a delegation of Rivers people who were on a solidarity visit that he would rather pack his bags and leave instead of kowtowing to the antics of Wike and his supporters.

But he promised that the 25 lawmakers who are struggling for their political lives would go back to their villages at the end of the day.

Wabara who spoke during an interview (not with the Port Harcourt Telegraph) said the posture of the PDP Governors Forum  has shown that the party is ready to protect democracy in Nigeria.

The timing of Wabara’s comment on the Rivers crisis indicates that the PDP hit by sharp differences has become increasingly more united.

Coming in the wake of the resolution of PDP Governors in Enugu, a public commentator who did not want his name in print noted, “A new thinking within the party is taking shape. It is obvious the PDP is on a salvage mission. ”

Recall that a communique issued at the end of a meeting of PDP Governors had read the riot act to members of the party who are in a gruesome battle with Governor Fubara.

The Governors said through the chairman of their forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State that although  they are willing to explore peaceful options in their search for a permanent solution, their support is completely with the Rivers State Governor.

It would be the first time since the fight for the soul of Rivers State began that the PDP Governors would be unequivocal in their position.

Observers say Wike may have gotten the signal that it is no longer business as usual, meaning that the machinery of the party at the national level would rally henceforth to protect the mandate of the Rivers people freely given to Fubara and the PDP.

Already, signs that the PDP is prepared to match words with action are gradually coming to the surface.

The party the other day delivered an upper cut which has made mincemeat of a case allegedly entered before a court in Port Harcourt in the name of the party.

It said in clear terms that it has not authorised any lawyer to file any case on behalf of the party.

The party further restated that the power to  provide legal representation in any matter pertaining to PDP belongs to the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade and nobody else.