It has been disclosed by a close associate of Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate for the general elections of 2023, why it will be challenging to suspend or expel Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, from the main opposition party.
Wike, who was recently appointed as the FCT Minister by President Bola Tinubu, had claimed that the party could not punish him due to his acceptance of a position in the Federal Government, which is governed by the All Progressives Congress.
The former governor of River State asserted that he was invited to accept Tinubu’s nomination by party leadership at various levels.
UPDATE: PDP Will Expell Wike – Atiku’s Aide, Daniel Bwala
The Minister recently stated that he had not yet met the individual who would kick him out of the party during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He said, “Governance is not about party. The party is a vehicle that conveys you. I’m a PDP member, unrepentant.
“I never hid my intention. As a PDP member, I came out to support fairness, equity, and justice. I feel at home working for the government of Tinubu. He is a man who means well for the country.
“I’m not here to work for a party. I’m here to support the President who has confidence in me. I owe nobody an apology.”
Asked if he wasn’t concerned about possible suspension, Wike responded, saying, “How can anybody talk about expelling me? With all due respect, I have not seen that person. Nobody will do it. So the issue that they will do it does not arise
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“Who will discipline me? I should be the one calling for the discipline of people who violated the party’s constitution on rotation,” he added.
Since then, calls to expel the FCT Minister and other PDP members who opposed the PDP have increased.
Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the former governor of Enugu State, Okezie Ikpeazu, the governor of Benue State, and other party officials were among those who worked against Atiku during the previous presidential election.
Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Bode George, and other PDP officials have also acknowledged that they will not be supporting the party’s presidential nominee in the election.
Wike’s case and future will be decided after the completion of the party’s ongoing elections dispute, according to an ally of Atiku’s who spoke to Saturday Sun.
He claimed that members of the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee, as well as other party elders, have been encouraged to maintain decorum until the problems are handled.
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He acknowledged that Wike is too ingrained in the PDP’s NEC and NWC, but said that it could be impossible to expel the FCT minister from the organisation.
He added that the outspoken former governor of Rivers State has supporters among the leaders of the opposition caucus in both houses of the National Assembly, noting that many of the NWC members who are anticipated to demand the removal of the minister are also supporters of the minister.
Wike would continue to be in charge of the PDP till new leadership is appointed, according to him, despite his affiliation with the APC, the current government.
The PDP leader stated that after the legal proceedings are over, the party may call an emergency convention to pick new NWC members who will not be beholden to Wike.
He said: “Wike was right when he said nobody can remove him or suspend him. He knows that he controls the different organs of the PDP form NWC to NEC, and even National Assembly caucuses.
PDP Reacts To Wike’s Outburst, Says They Will Address His Comments Soon
“Wike funded the elections of many PDP governors who are in office, and they must have a say when you want to suspend Wike or expel him from the party completely. That’s the truth, and the PDP leaders understand this.
“Again, we’ve decided to focus on the different court cases on elections, especially the presidential tribunal. As soon as they’re resolved and we know where we stand, the issue of Wike will be decided.
“One of the ways to deal with him is to hold an emergency convention. That’s on the way. Once that’s done, Wike’s allies will be pushed out, and neutral people whose loyalty is to the party will come on board.
“We’ll revisit the composition of the minority caucuses in the National Assembly who are loyal to Wike. Like I said, for now, we are focusing on other priorities. But when all that is done, we will go back to Wike and handle his case, unless he repents.”
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