The year’s crucial political events have firmly established FCT Minister Nyesom Wike as a major player in Nigerian politics, according to the PDP Frontliners, a party pressure group.
“Despite claims of Wike’s unpopularity by his Lilliputian critics in Rivers State, his pivotal role in weakening the PDP’s support base, along with defections of key figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, arguably contributed to APC’s electoral success in 2023; over the years, Nyesom Wike mentored a 23-year-old man who became his able successor as governor of Rivers state 23 years afterwards,” PDP Frontliners’ emphasized in a statement signed by their Publicity Secretary , Mr. Jonah G. Sylbriks.
They argue that any objective analysis of Nigeria’s 2023 political landscape highlights Wike’s influence and the need for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to maintain respect for his predecessor and the Abuja peace accord brokered by President Ahmed Tinubu.
“In Nigeria’s ever-shifting political landscape, the hunt for heroes among politicians has been near-fruitless, leading to a fervent search for villains, especially as economic woes grip the nation; former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has become a focal point, blamed for dashing political dreams and disrupting power dynamics, notably within the PDP and accusations abound, linking Wike to shattered aspirations of presidential candidates and gubernatorial hopefuls, while paving the way for Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory.
“On Twitter (X), Facebook and other social media platforms, Labour Party supporters and supporters of the PDP presidential candidate who, had in 2011 led the campaign against President Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential bid on the grounds that ‘it was still the turn of the North to rule Nigeria.’ are struggling to overdo themselves in painting the FCT Minister as a villain because of his backing for Tinubu.
“Also, in Rivers State, former PDP heavyweights who have become expired political paperweights join others in accusing Wike of insulting the Ijaws by bringing up Fubara instead of allowing them to impose a candidate; they deliberately ignore the fact that Wike made another Ijaw man an Executive Director, Finance and Administration at the Niger Delta Development Commission, and backed yet another Ijaw man to become the Rivers State Representative in the Federal Civil Service Commission,” they stated.
They urge Fubara to avoid conflict with Wike, his long-term mentor, just as another former governor who betrayed his predecessor faced political oblivion. They remind Fubara of his past under Wike’s wing, starting as a 23-year-old accountant during Wike’s local government chairmanship.
They argue that Fubara, now the state’s youngest governor, risks wasting his term in conflict instead of exceeding his “father’s” achievements. Any turbulence in Rivers State would likely be blamed on Fubara, not Wike, whose tenure saw urban renewal and reduced violence.
Furthermore, the Frontliners warn Fubara that many of his new supporters actually dislike him and may abandon him when needed. They also caution against dividing the state along ethnic lines, as this could harm Fubara more than Wike.
Finally, they advise Wike’s critics that their attacks won’t bring down President Tinubu or help those who lost positions because of Wike. They conclude by urging the PDP to rebuild itself and move past its obsession with Wike, which they deem counterproductive to the party and democracy.
