Politics

Reasons Behind Wike, Saraki’s Home Visit Revealed

Published

3 years ago

October 14, 2023

Editor

The reason former Rivers State governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former President of the Senate, Abubakar Saraki visited one another has been revealed.

According to The PUNCH, the visit is not unconnected to the search for the next National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is on top gear.

Saraki and Wike contested the PDP presidential primary, but lost to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

The former President of the Senate was appointed into the PDP/Atiku’s campaign team and with the support of others worked for the party in the presidential election.

Wike, who called for the removal of the suspended national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, for South-North balance, alongside his G5 faction, worked against the interest of Atiku and the party in the 2023 presidential election.

The former Rivers State governor who worked for President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress was appointed minister of FCT.

Upon assumption, Wike declared that he remained a member of the PDP only working with President Tinubu to transform Nigeria.

As the call for Wike to be sanctioned gathers momentum, many members of the PDP are also demanding the replacement of the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

In a new twist, Wike on Tuesday stormed Saraki’s house located at Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.

A credible source who is a high-ranking member of the PDP National Working Committee revealed to Saturday PUNCH that the issue about who would succeed Damagum was part of the reason Wike visited Saraki.

The source who does not want his name mentioned in the print disclosed that Atiku and a few party leaders had settled for Saraki to succeed Damagum.

He said, “We are aware that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku, and a few party leaders are discussing the person that will succeed the Damagum. In recent times, I am aware that Atiku and some of these leaders have settled for Saraki.

“They settled for Saraki because they believed he had the charisma and the political will to reposition the party. So, discussion is ongoing within party stakeholders.”

When asked about who the next PDP National Chairman would be unveiled, he said, “What is delaying the process is the Atiku and PDP’s case before the Supreme Court.

“Once the Supreme Court rules on the presidential election matter between now and November, the leaders will come out open and things will pick up.”

When contacted by our correspondent, Saraki’s media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the visit as a “friendly visit”.
PUNCH

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.