Wike refutes speculations of ministerial appointment by Tinubu
The immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has refuted the speculations that he has been offered a ministerial appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said, “Mr President has not called me one day to say look this is what I want you to do, for me to say yes or no. But, you see people churning out lists. I’m sure this week another list will come out.”
GistReel reports that there have been speculations on social media that Wike might have been given a ministerial appointment by President Tinubu which many political fans see as his final battle to grab a slot belonging to the members of the All Progressives Congress in the state and remain politically relevant after his failed bids to clinch the presidential and vice presidential tickets of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Recall that during the 2023 presidential election, Wike threw his weight behind Tinubu, who was the presidential flag bearer of the APC, an opposition party, claiming that his choice was for power to return to the South. Whether Asiwaju or Peter Obi, he wanted the next President to be a Southerner in the spirit of equity.
On fuel subsidy removal, Wike commended the President on his courage to end the fuel subsidy regime in the country, arguing that the decision clearly distinguishes the President as a man determined and prepared for leadership.
Speaking on the 10th NASS Leadership, Wike, said President Bola Tinubu’s administration would be destabilised and Nigerian would suffer for it if power brokers in the race reject Tinubu’s choices for Senate President and House Speaker.
He said, “About the Senate presidency and the House leadership everybody knows my position, that the Senate presidency should come to the South-South. We are not talking about the presidency of the country now, we are done with that.
“If you agree that Senate presidency should go to South, then tell the truth, where should it go? It can’t be in the South-West, can’t be in the South-East. South-South has only produced one Senate president, far back in 1979, Joseph Wayas. South-East has produced over seven.”
READ MORE: Subsidy Removal: Wike, Makinde, Ibori Support Tinubu, Says President on Right Path
“The party (APC) and the President appear to have a soft spot for Godswill Akpabio. I would have thought people will say allow this administration to start on a very good foundation, so nobody gives us excuses, that is why this administration could not start on good footing because of the rancour between the executive and the legislature.
“If Mr President doesn’t have a smooth administration, at the end of the day, who suffers? Is it, not Nigerians? Let us believe that we are all one, let us give everyone a sense of belonging.
“It has in the last dispensation. When Bukola Saraki emerged as Senate President, it created problems for the Presidency. Much problems. So we must not allow that to happen again. We must learn from that experience.”
