Former River State governor, Nyesom Wike, has defeated his political opponents within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding the principal officers in the 10th National Assembly.
Wike had been in a running battle with the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for leadership positions.
Atiku had backed the former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, in the Senate and Oluwole Oke from Osun State in the House of Representatives.
In response, Wike rallied some southern senators in the Senate to oppose Tambuwal’s emergence while pushing for his preferred candidates in the House of Representatives.
After days of intense politicking, Wike’s allies have emerged as the principal officers in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
In the Senate, Senator Simon Davou Mwadkwon from Plateau State emerged as the minority leader.
Mwadkwon is a political godson of former Plateau governor Jonah Jang, who is equally an ally of Wike.
Jang and Plateau governor Caleb Mutfwang recently attended the thanksgiving in honour of Wike in Port Harcourt.
The move has confirmed that Wike is in firm control of the main opposition party.
In the House of Representatives, Wike’s representative in the green chambers, Kingsley Chinda, emerged as the minority leader.
Wike had backed Chinda for the position in the 9th Assembly, but Ndudi Elumelu from Delta State had the upper hand at the time.
“Atiku should just resign in peace. He clearly doesn’t have the aura to defeat Wike,” Aina Dipo, a political commentator, said in reaction to the news.
Akin Akinwale, an All Progressives Congress member, wrote:
“The Wike Camp seems to have taken the victory again. I strongly advise the PDP against fielding any candidate in the upcoming 2027 Presidential election. Disregarding this advice would inevitably lead to a monumental defeat, one that would be remembered for generations to come.”
