Opinion
Tinubu Should Stop Wike’s War On Nigeria – EDITORIAL
Politics as a game of interest is undeniably governed by the pursuit of interests of the political actors.
In well-developed political societies such interests are controlled by the overall socio-cultural ambience.
Passions erupt sometimes but when unduly pursued to the general interest of society, institutional and constitutional embarkments intervene to reinforce order.
It is in this light that GWG.ng observes the unfolding pitched battle in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP between the camp of the governors in the party and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Ordinarily, how political actors engage themselves in the fight for dominance should not be a concern to GWG.ng.
However, in this case, the contest of supremacy that was further stoked by the war battle by Wike at the PDP’s state congress in Rivers State last weekend is beyond internal party dynamics. It is a call to war and disorder.
Speaking at the state congress, Wike warned PDP governors against meddling in what he called as his state. The FCT minister escalated his warning with a threat to destabilise the states of those he described as impudent PDP governors.
By his words, the FCT minister has openly inclined himself towards destabilizing parts of the Nigerian federation in his pursuit of political ascendancy.
Coming from a former governor and presently a minister in the Federal Government, the vituperation of the FCT minister is highly provocative and borders on the part of treason.
Indeed, Section 37 (1) of the Constitution avers that “Any person who levies war against the State, in order to intimidate or overawe the president or the Governor of a State, is guilty of treason, and is liable to the punishment of death.”
So, when an official of state publicly affirms his readiness to bring disorder in a state or some states of the federation, he has unwittingly shown himself to be in gross violation of this statute.
GWG.ng condemns this show of naked political violence against component parts of the Nigerian federation.
We are particularly miffed that the assertions of the minister have not been followed by a rebuke or retribution from the presidency.
The chief guardian of this democracy is certainly the President of the nation. Having come to power through democratic means, it is incumbent on him to ensure that democracy is protected, preserved and perpetuated beyond his tenure. He must therefore boldly and unapologetically rise to ward off any potential threat thereto.
It is in this context, that the recent threat by the Hon. Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike to ” set fire” in the states of PDP Governors supportive of their colleague must be situated.
Even if Wike talks down on governors, he must, however, not get away with threatening their states with violence.
This is unacceptable.
Keeping quiet in the face of such inflammatory outbursts is a great disservice to the principle of the rule of law and demonstrates an unflattering resort to the law of the jungle.
While we commend political actors to play out their passions with zeal, we wholly condemn the action of some willing to pull down the roof in the quest of political or personal preeminence.
Politics should be played within the boundaries of acceptable decorum that engenders healthy disputations that stabilizes societal dynamics.
It is in this light that GWG.ng condemns the provocative declaration of war by Minister Wike and as such calls on President Bola Tinubu to restrain his appointee from pulling down the roof of the Nigerian project.
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