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The Inside Story
Right now, the PDP is sharply divided as a party. There are 2 factions running the party. There is the Alhaji Atiku Abubakar faction. And there is the FCT Minister, Nyensom Wike Group.
The party is currently being run by the Wike Group and the Atiku Group plans to take over.
Alhaji Damagum, the current acting National Chairman, is believed to have been put there by Wike.
And as the 2027 presidential elections is fast approaching, the Atiku Group, wants to get Damagum out of office, forcefully.
They also want to suspend Wike from the PDP because of his decision last year, to join the APC led Tinubu government without first resigning from the PDP.
But Wike has stated repeatedly that he won’t resign because he got the permission of his National Chairman, Damagum to go ahead and accept his Ministerial nomination as FCT Minister.
A few days ago, Wike in an interaction with Senior journalists, during an interactive session, in Abuja, said the PDP can’t do anything to him for accepting to be Tinubu’s Minister.
He says he is ready for what the opposing camp wants to do about it.
Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye, an avowed Atiku loyalist, a few days back, accused the acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Alhaji Damagum, Samuel Anyanwu, and Umar Bature of destroying the former ruling party.
Melaye said the 3 chieftains have irredeemably destroyed PDP.
Posting on X, the former lawmaker also hinted at the commercialisation and privatisation of the opposition party.
According to Melaye in the tweet, said it is the “End of the road for PDP, as Damagum, Bature and Anyanwu irredeemably destroyed the party. We will talk about the commercialisation and privatisation of PDP. PDP is now once upon a time.”
Recall that there were strong indications that the PDP National Working Committee, NWC, might sanction Damagum and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu for an alleged letter to the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.
The letter was seen as an anti-party activity, and some party leaders, including members of the National Executive Committee, NEC, pushed for action against Damagum and Anyanwu.
But, last Thursday, Damagum warned that nobody can intimidate him into resigning from his position.
Damagum said those calling for his resignation are only enhancing his popularity.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee, the acting chairman berated those spreading misinformation about NWC operations.
“Let me send a message to everyone talking about Damagum this, Damagum that—I cannot be intimidated. The more you mention me, the more popular I become,” Damagum said.
City People can reveal that the move to take on Wike by the Atiku Group has been on for over a year now. This is because the Atiku Group believes that for Atiku, to get the PDP presidential ticket for the forthcoming 2027 elections, he must take over the party machinery and instal its own National Chairman.
Truth be told, Nyensom Wike is one top PDP member that the party has found it difficult to dispense with it. Many factors have been deduced by political pandits as reasons working for the former River State Governor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Talk of his War Chest, Wike is one politician that has more than enough. He singlehandedly sustained the party’s finances, prior to the party last failed attempt at Presidency by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Nyensom Wike, has one way or the other influenced the appointments and the elections of a lot of PDP members into office. Even in the face of major turbulence, Wike has withstood the test of time and received bullets for many leading PDP leaders. No wonder former Governor Ayodele Fayose, has spoken glowingly of him at different fora. He played a major role in the course of Obaseki jumping into PDP and also ensure his second term victory as Edo State Governor.
In national political matters, Wike, was so loud that had he won the PDP primary presidential ticket, he would have given PBAT a good run for his money. However, he detested sectoral party practice of some Northern elements in PDP to work against the Atiku presidency to ensure victory for PBAT at least in River State, as well influenced same in some PDP states.
Wike’s influence in the PDP National Party Leadership as well as the Party Board of Trustee (BOT) cannot be understated. The acting National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Umar Damagum, as well as about 70% percent of those running the party owe their allegience to Wike, hence party matters are codedly handled in Wike’s way.
Many that would have gone into oblivion in their political career are still relevant by the mercy of Nyensom Wike.
He singlehandedly installed Rivers State current Governor Fubara, as well as all the state assembly members both at state and national level.
Many may not know or remember that Wike, is a Lawyer, while his wife is an Appeal Court Judge. No wonder he most times win his battles because he knows his onions in law.
In spite of being in the opposition party to the ruling All Progresive Congress, Nyensom Wike was appointed as the first Southern Minister of Federal Capital Territory.
His performances has established him in a better position among other Ministers, so much so that people refer to him as “Mr. Project” of the Renewed Agenda of Mr. President. President Tinubu always refers to him as our Landlord.
Just days ago, we saw the PDP sent delegate to River State to persuade Governor Fubara not to cross to APC, we also observed days back the major breakout of an unknown party Action Peoples Party (APP) in River State which sent signal of possible cross carpet coming up in River State.
The PDP coming out of their executive national meeting a few days ago sent an invitation to the FCT Minister, inviting him for a meeting where the party intend to take action against him for anti-party activities.
The question is can the present crop of PDP leaders muster enough courage to suspend Mr. Wike?
What does Wike have going for him. Lets tell you more. He was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on August 16, 2023, to steer the ship of the Federal Capital Territory. Prior to this position, Nyesom Wike was the immediate past Governor of Rivers State.
Lets tell you how his past prepared him for his present role.
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, was born on 13th December 1967 as a son to Reverend Nlemanya Wike. He is a native of the Ikwerre tribe and hails from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Wike, is married to Eberechi Suzzette Obuzor Wike and they are blessed with 3 children — Jazmyne, Joaquin, and Jordan. His wife hails from Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State and is an Appeal Court Judge. She also studied Law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and was classmates with Nyesom Wike. Their love story began while in the University and they kicked off a romantic relationship.
Nyesom Wike is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. His Zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
He attended Government Secondary School, Eneka in Obiakpor, Rivers State, for his secondary education and later sat for his O’level exams in the same school.
He then proceeded to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUT) where he studied Law. Some years later, he bagged a Bachelor of Laws degree from RSUT and went on to Law School in 1997. Wike also bagged a Master of Arts degree in Political and Administrative Studies from RSUT.
Before his eventual foray into politics, Wike worked briefly in private law office.
From being an LGA Chairman to FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has had a longstanding political career since the return of democracy in 1999.
The following is a rundown of his political career: He was Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area Date Period : 1999–2007
Wike began his political career as the Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State. He held this position from 1999 and was re-elected in 2003. Wike served two terms as the Executive Chairman from 1999 to 2007.
After acting as the Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area, Nyesom Wike was appointed as the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi in 2007. He served in this position till 2011.
He was Minister of Education (State) 14 July 2011 – April 2014
In July 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Nyesom Wike, as the Minister of State for Education. During this period, he worked alongside Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i who was the Minister of Education.
After two years, Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i was sacked Wike was appointed as the acting Minister of Education.
He was Minister of Education 11 September 2013 – April 2014
In September 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan promoted Wike to the position of Federal Minister of Education.
He held this position for 8 months and resigned before finishing his term to contest for the Governor of Rivers State. He was succeeded as Education Minister by Ibrahim Shekarau.
He became the 6th Governor of Rivers State Date Period 29 May 2015 – 29 May 2023
In 2014, Wike stepped down as Federal Minister of Education to contest the 2015 governorship elections in his home state.
After clinching the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by winning the primaries, he picked Ipalibo Banigo, former Secretary to the Rivers State Government as his running mate.
In the governorship elections of 11 April 2015, Nyesom Wike of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defeated Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to emerge as governor. He was re-elected in 2019 and held this position till May 2023.
In May 2023, Siminalayi Fubara, succeeded Wike as Rivers State Governor.
He is now the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 21 August 2023 – date.
On 27 July 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated Nyesom Ezenwo Wike alongside twenty-seven (27) others as Federal Ministers of Nigeria. After his screening and approval by the Senate, Nyesom Wike was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the new FCT Minister on 16 August 2023.
Wike took over from Muhammed Musa Bello (his predecessor) and works alongside Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure who is the Minister of State for FCT.
Nyesom Wike has received several accolades for his work as an astute political administrator. He has made significant contributions to the development of various government systems in which he served.
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