President Bola Tinubu’s selection of former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike for a cabinet position has drawn criticism ever since.
It is thought that Wike, who had previously stated that he would never accept a cabinet position, helped Tiubu defeat Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of his own party.
Along with four other former governors of the state, he played a key role in the creation of the G-5 Integrity Group. During the presidential election, the organization sought to undermine the PDP.
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 other stakeholders have warned that Wike’s case might further destabilize the party, leaving the party in a difficult position as to how to handle him.
When the party recently declared Wike a member of its Campaign Council for the November gubernatorial 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 might cause several governors to defect.
