Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have issued a stern warning to the camp of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, stating that the party will not be swayed by arrogance or impunity.

During the inauguration of the National Convention Planning Committee on Tuesday, PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed affirmed their resolve to uphold party discipline and stand strong against any form of divisive behavior.

Reacting to demands issued by Wike’s camp ahead of the November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, Mohammed declared:

“We are not cowards, and we are not afraid of anybody.”

He further stressed the party’s resilience:

“We are capable of navigating this party beyond the shenanigans, beyond the arrogance, and beyond the impunity of others.”

Governor Mohammed underscored the collective responsibility of governors to safeguard the party:

“We cannot continue to take part and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That’s our job. And our job is to make sure we don’t go to the slaughterhouse. And we are working as governors and working with the committee to ensure that. The keyword is discipline.

“We will no longer allow or tolerate anybody to take us for granted. It has to stop. Enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate it any longer.”

As Governor Siminalayi Fubara prepares to resume office on September 18, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has signaled its willingness to collaborate with him, while affirming its ongoing right to critique his administration.

In a press briefing in Port Harcourt, State APC Chairman Chief Tony Okocha stated:

“The governor who was suspended will return to office on September 18. The APC will work with him when he returns.”

Okocha emphasized cooperation, adding:

“There are states where the governor and assembly members are in different parties, so we are going to work with him.”

He was quick to underline that this partnership does not negate the party’s oversight role:

“However, that will not take away our right to criticise him when he does wrong. But for us, the LG chairmen will work with him, except that we will not agree to vicious policies.”

Okocha contextualized the recent local government elections as groundwork for the 2027 general elections, saying:

“The Rivers State LG election is a prelude to what will happen in 2027.”

He explained the party’s strategic decisions:

“We did not field candidates in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs because we do not have the strength in those areas.”

Reflecting on progress since 2023, he expressed optimism:

“In 2023, APC in Rivers State had no shoes. Now we are wearing psychedelic shoes… We are going to double and redouble our membership for the President.”

Okocha also criticized the opposition:

“PDP is in tatters and people are leaving them in droves for other parties…and we’re privileged to have them.”

Fubara was suspended by President Tinubu in March following a state of emergency in Rivers, during which the president appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as administrator.

On Saturday, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike remarked that with the conclusion of the local government polls, “the coast is now clear” for Fubara’s return.

In another blow to the Labour Party (LP), a member of the House of Representatives, Nkemkanma Kama, representing Ohaozara, Onicha, and Ivo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, has officially resigned from the party.

Kama announced his decision in a letter addressed to the Ward Chairman of the Labour Party in Amaze Ward, located in Ishiagu Community, Ivo Local Government Area.

The letter cited extensive consultations as the basis for his departure.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Labour Party for the platform given to me to contest and win the last general election as the House of Representatives member under its banner,” Kama wrote.

He explained that the move came after engaging in wide-ranging discussions with his family, political allies, and supporters.

“After careful consideration,” he said, “I concluded that the step was necessary for the greater good of his people.”

Though Kama has not disclosed his next political destination, there is strong speculation that he may be heading to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

DAILY GAZETTE reports that Kama’s resignation follows an internal leadership crisis within the Labour Party that has seen several of its members defect to other political platforms in recent months.

The House of Representatives has debunked claims of a brewing rebellion among lawmakers targeting Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, ahead of the chamber’s resumption on September 23.

Reports had surfaced alleging that a faction of aggrieved lawmakers was mobilising to confront the Speaker over recruitment of 785 new staff and delays in constituency project funding.

The group reportedly expressed their dissatisfaction via a WhatsApp group, accusing the House leadership of sidelining members and exploiting their loyalty.

However, in a statement issued by House Spokesman, Akin Rotimi, the Green Chamber dismissed the narrative as “sensational and misleading.”

He clarified that informal chats among lawmakers especially on social media platforms, do not represent official positions or caucus decisions of the House.

“The House remains united under the leadership of Speaker Abbas. With 360 members representing Nigeria’s vast diversity, it is normal to have varying opinions, but these must not be mistaken for rebellion,” the statement read.

On the recruitment controversy, Rotimi clarified that the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), an independent statutory body was solely responsible for the hiring process.

He added that Speaker Abbas had already instructed the Committee on Public Service Matters to investigate the recruitment procedure and ensure transparency.

Lawmakers were also reported to have raised concerns over delays in implementing constituency projects, expressing fears that slow progress could impact their 2027 re-election chances.

Rotimi acknowledged the frustration but stressed that delayed contractor payments were a national issue, not unique to any individual legislator.

He said the Appropriations Committees are actively engaging the Finance Ministry to ensure that all pending 2024 obligations are met.

“Lawmakers face real pressure from constituents expecting results. But such concerns must be understood in the context of current fiscal realities, not turned into a political weapon,” he said.

The spokesman emphasized that the 10th Assembly remains focused and committed to addressing national priorities upon resumption later this month.

He also warned against divisive rhetoric suggesting that development or recruitment favoured one region over others.

“Allegations of regional favouritism are baseless and only serve to sow discord. The House works on principles of equity and national cohesion,” Rotimi asserted.

He reaffirmed the leadership’s dedication to transparency, fairness and inclusive governance, urging members to channel concerns through proper parliamentary channels.

Allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), operating under the name Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders, have issued a warning to the party’s leadership: the upcoming national convention in November will be deemed “invalid” unless their stated demands are met.

The group, which includes key political figures like former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and PDP National Secretary Sam Anyanwu, met at Wike’s residence on Monday night to address what they described as growing internal concerns within the party.

After a closed-door meeting that lasted nearly three hours, the group released a communique read by Ortom.

They reaffirmed their commitment to equity, justice, inclusion and the rule of law, values they claim are foundational to the PDP’s identity and survival.

The group made several firm demands ahead of the convention:

1. No Micro-Zoning:
   While supporting the current zoning structure approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC), they rejected any form of micro-zoning, warning it could destabilize the party.
2. Chairmanship to Remain in North-Central:
   They insisted that the position of National Chairman must stay in the North-Central zone, as established in the 2021 zoning formula.
3. Fresh Congresses:
   • They called for new, court-compliant congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states.
   • They demanded a fresh South-East zonal congress be held.
   • The South-South congress in Calabar, already upheld by the court, should be respected.
   • The Ekiti State local government congress must be conducted without delay.

The group argued that failure to fulfill these demands would lead to the disenfranchisement of key party members, rendering the November convention legally and politically invalid.

The stakeholders stressed that leadership roles within the PDP should remain competitive, regionally balanced, and open to all, in line with the party’s traditions.

They warned that neglecting court rulings, sidelining legitimate members, or pushing narrow interests could severely damage the party’s unity and credibility.

“Unity cannot be built on exclusion or disregard for valid judicial pronouncements,” the communique stated.

They emphasized that a credible convention must be grounded in transparency, inclusiveness, and respect for the rule of law.

Despite the strong demands, the group reaffirmed their loyalty to the PDP and expressed a desire to work with all party organs to ensure the convention serves as a turning point for the opposition party.

“We remain committed to a united PDP—one that puts fairness above impunity and collective interest above individual ambition,” the group said.

They urged the party to take the November convention as a chance to rebuild trust and position itself as a true alternative for Nigerians.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has clarified that it cannot take disciplinary action against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, over alleged anti-party activities unless a formal petition is submitted with credible evidence.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday, the PDP’s Deputy National Legal Adviser, Mr. Okechukwu Osuoha, explained that while public discourse has frequently questioned the party’s inaction regarding Wike, due process must be followed before any sanctions can be considered.

“People often ask me specifically about the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike , why don’t we discipline him? I tell them: it is not enough to merely allege that someone has committed an offence,” Osuoha said.

He revealed that the PDP’s National Executive Committee has already constituted a disciplinary committee headed by veteran politician Chief Tom Ikimi, with Eyitayo Jegede as secretary.

However, no action has been taken against any party member due to the absence of official complaints.

“If anyone believes a member has violated party rules, they must submit a written petition. And when the accused is invited, the petitioner must be present and ready to present evidence,” he added.

Osuoha further noted that the reluctance or failure of individuals to follow through on allegations by filing formal petitions reflects a broader challenge not only within the PDP but across Nigeria’s political and legal systems.

“This issue is not unique to the PDP. It mirrors the wider problem in the Nigerian system — identifying irregularities without taking the necessary legal steps to address them,” he said.