Of Wike’s Appointment And PDP Dilemma -By Jude Chikezie

After the appointment and confirmation of the former Rivers state governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as minster by President Bola Tinubu, PDP has kept what will be termed, silence of a grave yard as the strong man of Rivers state resumed duty as FCT minister.

The truth is, Wike fought for the soul of PDP when Ali Modu Sherrif hit the party with series of court injunctions between 2016 and 2017 to remain chairman of the party. Wike also played a prominent role for PDP to emerge victorious in Edo governorship election in 2020, paving way for Obaseki’s second term. Coupled with that, is the fact that he was paying the salaries of staffs working in PDP secretariat in some states PDP was not in power. And after all these, he expected the party to reward him with a presidential ticket at the PDP primaries, but when Tambuwal stepped down for Atiku at the convention, he felt betrayed and was determined to pay them back.

Atiku’s stance with Ayu, didn’t help matters which prompted Wike to form integrity group comprising of G5 governors. Fast forward to Feb 25th election, Wike helped APC win Rivers state in the presidential election according to former governor of Jigawa state Badaru Abubakar, he didn’t know how Wike did it, as Rivers state is a traditional PDP state. Many members and supporters of APC both in Rivers state and Nigeria at large believed that Wike merited his appointment on account of his bravado on election day.

The headache within PDP on Wike’s ministerial appointment is what to do with him, while Wike too is under pressure to defect to the ruling party. Not that it will be the first time an opposition member will be holding ministerial appointment in a ruling party in Nigeria.

Recall that in the first republic, Dr J.O.J Okezie and Chief Festus Okotie-Ebo of NCNC held ministerial positions under Tafawa Belawa of the NPC ruling party. Also former president Obasanjo of PDP then, appointed Chief Bola Ige of opposition AD as minster for Solid minerals and latter reshuffled him as justice minister.

But in Wike’ s case, the circumstances are not same as all his doings are in defiance to his party who are at a loss on what to do with him. It would have been in the interest of both parties for Wike to defect to APC but the problem is, how is he going to be in the same party with Rotimi Ameachi? Who will the APC party structure in Rivers State be in his hand? Two captains they say, can not be in the same ship. And If he defects, he will lose control of Simi Fubara, who he practically brought to power!

It’s clear that Wike and PDP is at cross roads. But another fact is, Wike’s knows too much about PDP that made the party to be reluctant to slam him with anti party activities or outright expel. And now that Wike is the minister of FCT, PDP have to also think of Wadata plaza, their party secretariat which Wike’s unpredictable nature can point at the structure at anytime. Head or tail, Wike wins, unless the courts upturns Tinubu’s victory.