Former Ebonyi State Governor, Dr. Sam Egwu, has criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, for what he described as reckless and unguarded comments directed at South East leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Egwu’s reaction follows Wike’s remarks during a BBC Pidgin interview, where he dismissed concerns raised by PDP leaders from the South East over unresolved issues within the party—particularly the impasse surrounding the position of the National Secretary.
The leaders had expressed dissatisfaction with the national leadership’s failure to resolve the matter, warning that they might be compelled to reconsider their alliance with the party.
However, Wike reportedly singled out Egwu and former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa for criticism, questioning their political relevance.
He accused them of failing to deliver votes or produce notable political figures, including governors or National Assembly members.
Egwu responded with a strong rebuke, saying Wike’s comments were embarrassing and misdirected. He questioned why a collective position taken by South East PDP leaders was reduced to a personal attack on two individuals.
In a statement, Egwu said Wike’s aggression was unprovoked and reminded him that he successfully installed his successor in 2007 after leaving office. He emphasized that Wike’s ability to do the same in Rivers State was not extraordinary, adding that such feats were common among outgoing governors.
“My attention has been drawn to the unsavoury remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike wherein he described the demand by South East leaders on the national leadership of the PDP as empty. Particularly worrisome is Wike’s personalization of what was supposed to be the collective position of PDP stalwarts in the South East. It is in bad taste for Wike to have singled out Achike Udenwa and myself for vilification. This attack is not only embarrassing to me, it is unwarranted,” Egwu said.
He argued that the South East PDP, as a political family, has every right to voice its concerns and take a stand on issues affecting the region. Egwu described Wike’s reaction as that of someone new to national politics who has yet to understand the dynamics of leadership and respect within the party.
“As a political family, the PDP in the south east zone has the right to take a position on matters that affect it, one way or the other. That was simply what we did. It is not up to Wike or any other person for that matter to use that as a launchpad for personal attacks and name-calling,” he said.
Egwu highlighted his political influence, stating that he was instrumental not only in installing his immediate successor, Martin Elechi, but also in determining Elechi’s successor eight years later.
“If Wike were discerning enough, he would have known that most outgoing governors usually produce their successors. That Wike did it in his state is no rocket science. I produced my successor in Martin Elechi. I also played a leading role in determining who succeeded Elechi. It takes influence and grassroots appeal to achieve that,” Egwu added.
He warned that Wike’s influence may be short-lived, describing it as “borrowed time,” and challenged him to truly allow Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to function independently.
“Wike can boast for now about producing his successor. But he will soon burn himself out. He is living on borrowed time. I challenge him to allow Siminalayi Fubara to return as governor so that we will see whether he will still be in a position to decide who becomes governor in Rivers State in the near future. I also invite Wike to give his successor a free hand to operate as I did. It is his insistence on taking control of the state that ignited the ongoing political crisis in his state,” the statement concluded.
