By Yahaya Yusuf Kumo.
Convener, Tinubu/Inuwa Disabled Support Group.
Barrister Nyesom Wike and his allies in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) felt betrayed due to the zoning controversy surrounding the party’s presidential ticket. Wike and many Southern PDP leaders strongly believed that the party should have zoned the 2023 presidential ticket to the South, in line with an unwritten power rotation agreement. However, the ticket was given to Atiku Abubakar, a Northern candidate. This move was seen as a deliberate sidelining of the South and a breach of trust, fueling resentment among key party stakeholders, including Wike.
Another major cause of Wike’s dissatisfaction was the conduct of the PDP primary election. Many expected him to win, given his political influence and strong campaign, but he lost to Atiku Abubakar after Aminu Tambuwal made a last-minute withdrawal and openly endorsed Atiku. Wike viewed this as a betrayal orchestrated by the party leadership to ensure he did not secure the ticket. This incident deepened his distrust in the PDP’s internal processes and further alienated him from the party’s leadership.
Following his loss in the primaries, Wike expected to be considered as Atiku’s running mate, given his contributions to the party and electoral strength. However, the PDP presidential candidate chose Ifeanyi Okowa instead, a decision that Wike saw as a direct snub. He felt that, despite his loyalty and dedication to the party, he was being cast aside in favor of a less influential figure. This move reinforced his belief that the PDP leadership was deliberately working against him.
Wike and his allies also demanded the resignation of PDP’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, arguing that it was unfair for both the party’s presidential candidate and chairman to come from the North. Their call for balance and internal equity was ignored, with Ayu refusing to step down and receiving strong backing from Atiku’s camp. This deepened Wike’s grievances, as he saw it as another instance of the party leadership disregarding fairness and internal democracy.
Additionally, Wike and the G-5 Governors (Wike, Ortom, Makinde, Ikpeazu, and Ugwuanyi) felt marginalized within the party. Their concerns about fairness and power distribution were dismissed, and they were excluded from major party decisions. Despite their strong influence in their respective states, PDP leadership failed to address their grievances, further alienating them and pushing them toward an alternative political alliance.
Beyond the political maneuvering, Wike also felt unappreciated for his long-standing contributions to the PDP. As a governor, he played a crucial role in sustaining the party during difficult times, financially supporting the party, mobilizing supporters, and securing electoral victories. Yet, when it came to key decisions, he was disregarded. This frustration led him and his allies to withdraw their support for Atiku and, ultimately, align with Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC. Their support for Tinubu contributed to his victory in the 2023 election, and Wike was later appointed as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in recognition of his role in the election.
Post a Comment