Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, says some members of the national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are “tax collectors”.
The governor said this in reaction to allegations that he is responsible for an order restraining Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, from participating in the PDP primary election ahead of the governorship poll.
A federal high court sitting in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers, had asked that a motion seeking to bar Obaseki from participating in the primary be served on the defendants, including the governor, via newspaper publication.
A suit, filed by Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, one of the PDP aspirants, prayed the court that only aspirants who purchased the party’s nomination form and were screened within the stipulated time should be allowed to contest in the primary.
In a statement on Tuesday, Paulinus Nsirim, Rivers commissioner for information and communications, said Wike has pulled out of the reconciliation in order to save his integrity.
Nsirim quoted the governor as describing some members of the NWC as tax collectors who will never tell the truth.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, the governor faulted a publication on a national newspaper which alleged that he was involved in the court ruling.
The governor said some members of the NWC are blackmailing him, and he pulled out to save his integrity.
He questioned why the NWC did not consult with governors in the case of Bayelsa state, adding that he would no longer participate in any reconciliation.
“I told them that in Edo State, we must handle the issue carefully and carry everybody along. They must respect human beings and not behave like tax collectors,” he said.
“They said because an order was obtained from a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, then I am responsible.
“I have had sleepless nights to resolve the issue in Edo state. The Governors of Edo, Adamawa, and Delta states, know what I have done to resolve the issues in Edo state.
“As a result of this senseless accusation, I have pulled out of Edo State settlement. My integrity matters. I have also directed my lawyer to write ThisDay Newspaper on the publication they made against me in their Tuesday, 23rd June, 2020 edition.
“I know the members of the National Working Committee of PDP who connived with ThisDay. They are tax collectors. Let them challenge me and I will come out with more facts. Nobody will rubbish me by raising false accusations against me. I will fight back.
“I am brought up not to accept injustice, and that is why I keep speaking out on national issues. Nobody in PDP can intimidate Rivers State.
“Nobody can threaten me because I said things must be done constitutionally. I will always continue to satisfy my conscience. From now on, I want to concentrate on the development of Rivers State.”
Obaseki had defected to the PDP following his disqualification from participating in the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party under which he was elected in 2016.
The PDP had also given a waiver to Obaseki and Philip Shuaibu, his deputy, to run on its platform.
The PDP primary election in Edo has been rescheduled to hold on June 25.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM THE PEOPLE’S JOURNAL
Buhari Loses Second Nephew In 23 Days
Ibrahim Dauda, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, is dead. This is coming few days after the death of Mutari Dauda…. Read more
Melaye: I know a patient, COVID-19 in Kogi is real
Dino Melaye, former senator representing Kogi west, says the report of COVID-19 in Kogi state is “real and authentic”… Read more
COVID-19: Nigeria records highest daily toll of 553 cases
Nigeria recorded a significant spike in COVID-19 cases on Saturday, with 553 new cases confirmed in 14 states and the federal capital territory (FCT)… Read more
COVID-19: Kaduna Government Discharges Four-month-old
Kaduna State Government has disclosed that a four-month-old child, who earlier tested positive for COVID-19, has been discharged after testing negative for the virus…. Read more
Fleeing COVID-19 Patient In Abia Surrenders Self, Family To Hospital
The Abia State Government has confirmed that the fleeing COVID-19 patient in the state had surrendered himself and members of his family to the Infectious Diseases Hospital…. Read more
286 Stranded Nigerians Evacuated From China Arrive Abuja Airport
The Nigerian Government has evacuated 286 Nigerians stranded in China due to the COVID-19 lockdown…. Read more
Bobrisky arrested over ‘N30m fraud’
Police detectives from Abuja on Thursday arrested Idris Okuneye, a crossdresser better known as Bobrisky…. Read more
Presidency Lied, Technical Issues Blanked Out Buhari While Giving Speech During UN Virtual Meeting (VIDEO)
Video of United Nations virtual meeting on financing for development in the era of COVID-19 and beyond, which held on Thursday… Read more
Bukayo Saka hints at new Arsenal contract with cryptic Instagram post
ARSENAL fans have been left excited by Bukayo Saka’s latest Instagram post after the Gunners starlet posted a snap of himself… Read more
Victor Osimhen interested in Spurs transfer this summer
LILLE striker Victor Osimhen will not consider a move to Tottenham – unless they sell Harry Kane…. Read more
$18.34m Paid To Nigerian Kidnappers In Nine Years —Report
About $18.34m has been paid by families, friends and loved ones of kidnap victims in Nigeria in the last nine years, a new report…. Read more
My fiance and I have been engaged for 16 years but he keeps putting off the wedding
I TOOK my wedding dress to a charity shop when it went out of fashion because my fiancé has refused for so long to name the day… Read more
Finally, Trump terminates US relationship with WHO
United States President Donald Trump says the country is terminating its relationship with the World Health Organisation (WHO)… Read more
My girlfriend says she’ll have sex with her ex if she sees him and I’m devastated
IT plays on my mind that my girlfriend is friends with a lot of guys who have either had sex with her or want to…. Read more
My girlfriend is drinking more every day but she won’t admit she has a problem
EVERY day my girlfriend is drinking more and more. The only thing that stops her is having no money… Read more