Wike Denies Insulting Ijaw People As PANDEF Demands Public Apology

FCT Minister Wike has denied insulting the Ijaw people, but PANDEF has demanded an apology for his alleged disrespect.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied accusations that he insulted the Ijaw ethnic group.

His response follows a demand from the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), which insists he must apologize for what they call an unacceptable verbal attack on South-South leaders.

On Saturday, Wike attended a grand reception in his honor at Abalama community in Rivers State, despite opposition from some Ijaw traditional rulers. Some chiefs had urged his loyalists to move the event away from Kalabari land, while protesting women, dressed in black, blocked the community entrance, accusing him of disrespecting the Ijaw people. The situation escalated when the women vandalized billboards bearing Wike’s image. Security forces had to use teargas to disperse them.

Speaking at the event, Wike insisted that his previous remarks were misinterpreted. “What I said in my interview, people will want to misinterpret it. I want to repeat what I said. I said we are all working together. If we didn’t work together, it would have been difficult to produce the governor,” he explained.

He also addressed claims that he had spoken negatively about the Ijaw people, stating, “Nobody should associate anything evil with Ijaw. Ijaw people are not evil people. You cannot be saying, ‘I will blow the pipeline.’ No! Engage people intellectually and diplomatically, and you get what you want.”

Wike also took aim at the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tammy Danagogo, accusing him of fueling the political crisis in Rivers State. He alleged that Danagogo used his influence to manipulate judicial decisions. “Who started this problem? SSG lured his brother judge to give an ex parte order that the government could present a budget to three or four people. The secretary is Danagogo; the judge who gave the order is Danagogo. Look at how people can destroy a state,” Wike said.

He also claimed that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly had their salaries withheld for over a year. “They told you to seize Assembly members’ salaries and allowances for more than one year. They have no income to feed their families and pay their children’s school fees. And you were jubilating and people were encouraging you, telling you that nothing would happen,” he added.

Wike reiterated his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, emphasizing that his political survival depended on the president’s backing.

In response to Wike’s comments, PANDEF has called for a public apology. The group’s National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, accused Wike of disrespecting South-South leaders, including the late Chief Edwin Clark and King Alfred Diette-Spiff.

“Even more disgraceful were his derogatory remarks about the late Chief Edwin Clark, a national icon and founding father of PANDEF, and his disrespect towards King Alfred Diette-Spiff,” Igali said.

He further warned that Wike’s statements could harm peace efforts in the Niger Delta. “PANDEF has been at the forefront of peace and reconciliation efforts in Rivers State and the broader Niger Delta. Wike’s reckless statements jeopardize this process and could fuel tensions instead of fostering unity.”

PANDEF urged President Tinubu to ensure Wike apologizes, stating that failure to do so would send the wrong message—that public officials can insult traditional leaders without consequences. The group warned that if Wike refuses to retract his comments, Niger Delta communities will see it as a direct attack on their people.

Meanwhile, Rivers SSG Tammy Danagogo has dismissed suggestions that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s calm approach to governance is a sign of weakness. Responding to criticisms over his role in the administration, Danagogo said his actions were in line with his official duties.

He also praised Governor Fubara for maintaining order despite political tensions. “Some past governors in similar situations might have taken drastic measures, but Fubara has chosen to maintain peace,” he said.

As the political crisis in Rivers State continues, all eyes are on how Wike, PANDEF, and the state leadership will navigate the growing tensions.
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