PDP crisis: Retired generals threatened me with CIA, says Wike

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, says some “former generals” threatened him with their connections in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a security outfit of the US government.

According to Kelvin Ebiri, special assistant on media to the Rivers governor, Wike said this on Wednesday while inaugurating road projets at Igwurita, Rivers state.

Although the Rivers governor did not mention any name, his comment may not be unconnected to the reported action by some northern PDP chieftains against his presidential ambition.

Hours before the PDP presidential primary was scheduled to start on May 28, northern stalwarts in the party reportedly met to pick a consensus candidate, but they failed to reach an agreement.

Aliyu Gusau, a retired army general and former defence minister reported to have links to the CIA; Emeka Ihedioha, former Imo governor; and Ben Obi, an associate of Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president who later won the party’s ticket, were said to have been at the meeting, which was reportedly part of moves to stop Wike from clinching the presidential ticket.

Speaking on Wednesday, Wike said instead of focusing on him, retired generals who have contacts in the CIA should use such links to support the fight against insurgency.

“Some people threatened that they are former generals, they are close to the CIA in America and they can deal with us. I said ‘listen, no problem’. If you are close to America CIA, why don’t you use it to solve Boko Haram problem? Is it on my body you’ll use it? Nigeria has a serious problem and you are close to CIA. You know them as former generals. Why not use that contact and solve Nigeria’s problem? You want to use it to threaten me,” he said.

“Who are you that I should come and do your own bidding? I say no to that. I will do the bidding of Nigerians, not the bidding of a few people who believe that if they are not there, it should be their children; no other child should come up outside them.

“I will not do that. So, all of us, prepare, because a day shall come and Rivers state shall take a decision on what to do.”

Wike also expressed doubt about the promise of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver credible elections.

“My problem is INEC, whether they will do what they said they will do. They are making promises now. I don’t know whether they will keep to it. If INEC will keep to the promises that Nigeria will get a better election, I will be so happy. Everybody will see with their eyes; Abuja does not vote. It is the people here that will vote,” he said.