SOKOTO/Nigeria: In a bold statement ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meeting scheduled for September 4, the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has demanded the immediate removal and arrest of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
The forum, representing nearly 50 youth groups from the 19 northern states and the FCT, issued this demand in Sokoto on Tuesday, September 3.
The NYLF expressed grave concern over statements made by Wike, who, during a speech in Port Harcourt on August 31, threatened to incite chaos in PDP-controlled states in response to the party governors’ solidarity with a political crisis in Rivers State.
“We find it necessary to address the dangerous remarks made by Barrister Wike. His threats represent a call for anarchy and a direct threat to democracy, potentially undermining the progress we have made in our democratic dispensation,” the statement declared.
The group criticized the apparent inaction of the federal government and security agencies, which they accused of ignoring Wike’s provocative comments.
“The silence of the federal government in the face of such reckless statements erodes our trust in this administration and raises concerns about its complicity,” the NYLF stated.
In a statement titled “ARREST NYESOM WIKE NOW,” the forum demanded that security agencies take immediate action against the minister.
“We call on the federal government to direct security forces to arrest Barrister Wike and require him to sign an undertaking to refrain from initiating any crisis. He must be held accountable for any disturbances in PDP-controlled states,” they insisted.
The NYLF further called for Wike’s dismissal from the Federal Executive Council and urged the PDP to suspend him indefinitely, barring him from attending party meetings.
“The PDP must act decisively and suspend Barrister Wike to uphold the integrity of the party,” they stated.
The forum expressed strong support for the Senator Bala Mohammed-led PDP Governors Forum, promising to back their efforts to maintain peace and stability within the party.
“We stand firmly with the PDP Governors Forum and will support them in any lawful capacity necessary,” they affirmed.
Additionally, the NYLF reiterated their commitment to supporting Governor Fubara and the Ijaw community amid rising tensions. They concluded with a warning against any attempts to instigate political unrest in the North.
“We will not tolerate any form of crisis in the North as we already grapple with insecurity. Any Northerner found complicit in such actions will face the consequences,” the statement concluded.
