President Bola Tinubu’s selection of former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike for a ministerial position has drawn criticism ever since.
It is thought that Wike, who had previously stated that he would never accept a ministerial position, helped Tiubu defeat Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of his own party.
Along with four other former governors of state, he played a key role in the creation of the G-5 Integrity Group. During the presidential election, the group worked to undermine the PDP.
UPDATE: Wike, Betta Edu, 12 Others Screened, 14 More To Go
His selection as a minister is viewed as payment for the deed.
Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, a leader in the APC, stated that Wike’s appointment as minister was “compensation” for his participation in Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Ogunlewe said: “It is so easy to decipher. If you are following the development that cumulated in the last election, you would know the role Wike played and you must give him compensation for that role.”
Last weekend, PDP stakeholders reportedly convened, and the conversation reportedly focused on Wike and other post-election issues.
But some stakeholders have warned that Wike’s case could further destabilize the party, leaving the party in a difficult position as to how to handle him.
Ministerial Nominee Screening: Tinubu Won’t Regret Nominating Me – Wike (Video)
When the party recently declared Wike a member of its Campaign Council for the November governorship race in Bayelsa State, this issue was brought to light.
Excluding Wike would not be in the best interest of the party, according to former PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Dirun Odeyemi, who commented on the development.
Odeyemi pointed out that kicking Wike out of the party would cause several governors to defect.
He told Newsmen that: “They know the right thing to do at the right time, even though there is an argument for and against, some people believe that Wike’s acceptance and nomination is not new.
“Another school of thought believes that Wike should resign from the party. It will be very difficult to expel him because there is an adage in Yoruba that says when you beat a mad man you will realise that he has relatives.
“It’s not easy to touch Wike because if you expel him, you will be expelling some PDP governors.
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“In PDP now, what we should do is to persuade and resolve all the issues within the party.”
Some Nigerians criticized Wike for being appointed as a minister on Twitter and claimed that the PDP was no longer relevant.
Below are a few of the tweets:
@BolanleColer: “From a LION in PDP to a RAT in APC from Malaria to Cancer, the fall of Port-Harcourt Megaphone.”
@mrlurvy: “Wike, Ortom, Ikpeazu, and Ugwuanyi have been included in the Bayelsa campaign council list of the PDP. Something is fundamentally wrong with everybody at Wadata Plaza. And I am happy it is happening.
The PDP has lost its relevance. It has no ideals, discipline or foresight any more. I strongly advise that the party be deregistered by INEC.”
Ministerial Nominees: Anxiety As Senate Screens Wike, El-Rufai, Umahi, Others Today
@FirstObidient: “Amaechi was used against Goodluck Jonathan and was made Minister by Buhari. Wike was also used against Peter Obi and has been nominated for a ministerial position under Tinubu, why Rivers dey groom Judas?”
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