Former Governor Wike Holds Extensive Meeting with Senate President to Influence PDP’s Minority Leader Nominations

…By Enitan Thompson for TDPel Media. Former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, recently engaged in a six-hour-long meeting with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in preparation for the Senate’s resumption on July 4, 2023.

The purpose of this extended meeting was reportedly to prevent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from nominating Minority leaders for both the upper and lower legislative chambers of the National Assembly.

The meeting took place in the Senate President’s office and involved several prominent political figures.

Discussion on Minority Leader Nominations:

Among those in attendance alongside Wike and Akpabio were Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, Senator Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel (recently appointed as the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters), Senator Jibrin Isah from Kogi East Senatorial District, and Senator Salihu Mustapha from Kwara Central Senatorial District.

During the meeting, Wike proposed that the Minority leader of the 10th Senate be nominated from his faction, bypassing the usual protocol of the PDP national organ in handling such nominations.

Wike’s Perspective and Uncertain Response:

Although Wike did not share his thoughts with journalists following the meeting, a confidential source revealed to Daily Post that he argued in favor of his faction nominating the Senate and House of Representatives Minority leaders.

It remains uncertain whether the Senate President agreed with Wike’s proposition.

Traditionally, the selection of Majority and Minority Leaders in the legislative chambers has been the responsibility of the political party organ.

Wike’s Intentions and Outreach:

According to the confidential source, Wike’s primary goal is to ensure that his faction secures the positions of principal officers.

However, he did not disclose the potential candidates for these positions.

Wike is determined to garner support from the leadership and members of other minority political parties in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, emphasizing the seriousness of his intentions.

Current Political Landscape:

Currently, the All Progressives Congress (APC) holds 59 Senators, while the PDP holds 36.

Other parties, such as the Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Young Progressives Party (YPP), have a combined total of 14 Senators, further highlighting the significance of Wike’s efforts to secure support from minority parties.

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