Wike abuses power, says former PDP chairman, campaign adviser

A former National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has described the sealing of the Atiku/Okowa campaign office in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State government as behavior childish and an abuse of power.

Secondus said that those in positions of authority should keep in mind that power is fleeting and that no matter how long each individual would answer to God for their stewardship.

State Governor Nyesom Wike has been at odds with the party's presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and national chairman Iyorchia Ayu since the party's presidential primary in May.

All efforts to resolve the crisis between the Wike Group, known as the Integrity Group, and Camp Atiku had failed, with the Integrity Group insisting that Ayu step down as president .

The state government, in a viral letter dated December 19, 2022, to the PDP's State Campaign Management Committee, denied the committee's request to use its property at GRA Phase 2 in Port Harcourt as a campaign office.

In the letter signed by the Director of Land Use Planning and Transport, on behalf of the Commissioner of Land Use Planning and Urban Development, the government stated that "GRA I and II are designated for residential purposes, therefore the use of the property as a campaign office is contrary to the designated use.”

The government then sealed the premises on Thursday, a development that has been condemned by some people.

Reacting to the development, Secondus, who is also from the state, said, “The sealing of the Atiku campaign office in Rivers State is childish. He does not describe us as democrats and lovers of peace. We must do all we can to show the world that we are a non-violent people who believe in the rule of law.

“We must not set ourselves up as a hindrance to the rule of law and we must remember that power is fleeting. We must know that only Almighty God is omnipresent and reigns forever. No matter how long, every power wielded by men will expire.

"Let us exercise the powers given to us by the people with a sense of responsibility and care, knowing and believing that one day we will not only leave office, but we will also be accountable of our stewardship to Almighty God."

Secondus, however, called on the people of the state to remain peaceful and conduct their campaigns and affairs without hard feelings.

'Wike abuses power'

Similarly, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State called the sealing of the Secretariat unfortunate, saying that all the necessary conditions to use it were met.

CCP Spokesperson Dr. Leloonu Nwibubassa said, "I think all civil society groups, the international community and democracy lovers around the world need to understand that Governor Wike abused his powers as Governor of Rivers State.

"We condemned it as an act of lawlessness by the governor, after issuing executive orders smuggled to the state legislature through the back door to make it a law."

‘Secondus remains expelled’

But in reaction to Secondus, Wike said the former PDP national president was expelled by his neighborhood in Andoni and was no longer a member of the party.

He described Secondus as an indiscreet intruder.

The Governor spoke at the inauguration of the Aluu-Omagwa Link Road held at Omuagubia in the Ikwerre Local Government Area on Saturday.

He said: "I read a newspaper this morning where a former member of our party, a certain Uche Secondus, said that no man can impose a presidential candidate on the inhabitants by Rivers.

"He is not a member of our party. His ward expelled him from the party. The court confirmed it. He went to the court of appeal, he lost. He went to the Supreme Court, case arrives October 23, 2023."

But in his response, Secondus described Wike as a master at using abusive words and a myopic man who forgets his benefactors.

He said, "Let him continue to mistreat me. Is there anyone he hasn't abused? He is a myopic man. He does not think of yesterday and he forgets that there is tomorrow. He abused everyone in Rivers State and the PDP.

"He abused President Muhammadu Buhari, insulted him. Today he praises him. He will always eat his vomit. This is his time; allow him to enjoy his limited time at the office. It's a matter of months. His eyes would soon be clear."