The Federal Capital Territory’s Minister, Nyesom Wike, has come under heavy fire from the Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Coalition of United Political Parties, and others for publicly announcing his intention to spearhead President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 reelection campaign.
In an interview with the media on Monday in Abuja, Wike said he was a vital component in Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 election.
In addition, the former governor of Rivers State maintained that he was not engaged in any anti-party actions and urged the PDP to suspend him if they had any doubts.
Timothy Osadolor, the party’s deputy national youth leader, responded by telling Nigerians to ignore Wike’s remarks and threatening to use the party’s rules against the minister shortly.
Mark Adebayo, the publicity secretary for the CUPP, called Wike the “President’s hatchet man” and charged him with trying to destroy opposition groups.
The NNPP said that even with Wike’s support, Tinubu would lose in 2027.
Wike stated, “I am still in the PDP,” at a media parley in Abuja on Monday. I put a lot of effort on the party. Nobody has the courage to tell me, “Wike, you are not a member of the party,” as far as I can see. Who is that? What does he bring to the celebration that surpasses my contribution?
Wike refused to accept the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, citing the PDP’s support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a breach of the agreement for a southern presidential candidate.
Did I not inform you in 2023 that I would not back their presidential candidate? According to equality, justice, and fairness, I stated that the South should be elected president as you cannot have both the national chairmanship and the presidency at the same time.
Thus, you take one and give it to us. They said to hell (with it) because they thought Atiku would win, and I said I wouldn’t back him.
“So, why didn’t I join the APC instead of the party? Which of the PDP governors today and all of us back then produced the National Assembly 100 percent? Who created a governor? Inquire about the number of senators in each state,” he stated.
Wike described himself as a great asset and emphasized his crucial contribution to Tinubu’s reelection in the general elections of 2027.
“I am an asset, not a liability. Regardless of your opinion, I am a valuable asset. I am a benefit regardless of whether you wish to die or not. You could not like me, but it doesn’t matter. Wike claimed, “I am a valuable asset to ensuring Tinubu wins his second term.”
The former governor of Rivers also discussed the PDP’s prospects for 2027, claiming that the party’s leadership issue was the cause of the large-scale defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress, especially in Delta State and Akwa Ibom.
“The issue is with the party leadership. Take a look. You won’t claim that they lacked the intelligence to send Delta. You will not claim that Akwa Ibom would not have intelligence.
“Now, what would you do if you were in charge? Ask a group of people, “Why are you doing this?” No, you’re committing an error. Impunity: release them. You see, opposition does not operate with impunity. We try to plead, but no, no, no. Bring everyone together. Let them go is not what you say. The minister said, “I can’t do that, let me tell you.”
In reaction, a top PDP official said the party would soon discipline Wike in line with its rules and described it as one that maintains law and order.
“This party is a party of process,” he said. We obey the laws, procedures, and structures that are in place. We will apply our laws to him and others when the time is appropriate.
“That’s just his opinion when someone claims that no one can take him out of the party. The PDP is greater than any one person. My response is straightforward: facts are sacred, but opinions are free. Rules are sacred. Regulations and rules are sacred. He has the right to his opinion, but I can assure you that the party will uphold its regulations when the time is appropriate.
Osadolor, the deputy national youth leader for the PDP, urged Nigerians and party members to ignore Wike.
Speaking on the subject, CUPP National Publicity Secretary Mark Adebayo said that Tinubu’s anticipated loss in 2027 will still occur even with Wike’s backing.
First and foremost, that is the essence of power opportunism, he said. That’s how opportunists act when they’re in positions of authority. That’s who they are. Their character formation as principleless politicians is that.
Although Wike is nominally a member of the PDP, we know that his body, heart, and soul belong to the APC, and that he is working with the President to secure his reelection. Mr. Wike is, in my opinion, the president’s hatchet man. He is the president’s political hitman. He is tasked with dismantling the opposition parties, particularly the PDP.
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