I have decided to join the national conversation on the vital role of Gov. Wike in the present and future advancement of the PDP. In doing so, I will break my thoughts into three short pieces to ensure I stay focused on 3 key points. In this first piece, I argue that Gov. Wike and PDP are inseparable and so their fortunes are interwoven. In the second piece, I demonstrate that current developments around Gov. Wike’s status within the PDP, are not a matter for him solely, and so should be placed in the broader context of the party itself. Lastly, I take the position that the party is bigger than any individual, and so it is in Gov. Wike’s interest as well as all others to look beyond 2023 and place themselves in the wider scheme of things.
A former spokesperson to Gov. Wike provided some context when he said *…”The internal squabbles within the PDP are products of greed, avarice and naivety. They are the products of egocentrism, self-aggrandisement and crass gluttony. As economic predators, some of those in the leadership of the PDP has acquired the inelegant characteristics of conquistadors. “* (Prince Kassim Afegbua).
Recent assertions that Gov. Nyesom Wike of River State is likely to leave or split the PDP, have left political observers wondering about the implications for 2023. As a first step to understanding the issue before the party, it is important to know how tied Gov. Wike has been to the PDP. Gov. Wike started as the Chairman of Obiokpor Local Government Area of River State, a feat he secured through the PDP. He later became …..Chief of Staff to a PDP Governor …..and from there, rose to become a Minister of State for Education under President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP. Subsequently, he contested and became Governor of River State on the platform of the PDP.
Given these facts and however one chooses to look at things, whatever one has to say, and whatever arguments people may have, there could be no Governor Wike without the PDP.
So, it will seem that as much as Gov. Wike is a crucial player in the PDP, he is also a major beneficiary of the PDP. It is incontrovertible that Gov. Wike’s ascendancy and ambition to become the president and later Vice President is a function of the multiple opportunities he has enjoyed through the instrumentality of actors within the PDP.
Governor Wike may be pained that he did not win the Presidential ticket of the party and disappointed that he was not compensated with the Vice Presidential slot (after he had “invested” so much funds in individuals and the officials of the party) but he remains a major beneficiary. His disappointment is not unexpected. Howbeit, the outcome of the primaries may have jolted Gov. Wike beyond the threshold of acceptance and he has refused to accept that politics is imbued with potential setbacks. This is probably so because as a politician, Gov Wike has been fortunate. Many of his colleagues in Nigeria have not survived the treachery in politics this long. It may be time for him to do some reflection. In his ambition to be President, Gov. Wike left no one in doubt as to the fact that he was not ready to play second fiddle. Even as he continued to push his case for outright victory, he publicly foreclosed the option of negotiation. So, if we must ask questions, who should we blame for the eventual state of affairs?
On a general note, Gov. Wike should look back at others from the South-South that tried to be President and maybe reconsider his stance. There is H.E.Dr Peter Odili, H.E. Rotimi Amaechi, President Goodluck Jonathan, H.E. Emmanuel Udom, and many others…In addition, there are past political allies like H.E. Modu Sheriff, Uche Secondus, and H.E Adamu Mauzu, who have moved out of the centre stage. I believe Gov. Wike needs to revisit his attempt at exceptionality. He should probably not be the one to pose any threat to the PDP that has been very generous to him these last two decades.
In closing on this first piece, I would like to also draw Gov. Wike and his cohorts’ attention to the politics of President Goodluck Jonathan (another major beneficiary of the PDP) who has stayed out of the PDP as a matter of choice. It could be a route to political exile.
•Coco Bassey Esu writes from Calabar and is an active member of the PDP*