News Editor
By TMS Politics
The presidential primary election of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP might have come and gone with a winner and other competitors accepting fate and pledging party solidarity going forward. At this point in the party’s unfolding strategy of winning, the winner, Atiku Abubakar and by extension the party, needs to be circumspect and discerning in it’s search for a presidential running mate in order to avoid controversies and self injury.
The 2023 elections from the crystal balls of political permutations promises to be both interesting and very competitive. This therefore, makes it necessary for the PDP and candidate not to make mistakes in picking a running mate for it’s flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar. In this regard and without feeling of rigtheous indignation, such a running mate must come with sagacity, competence, mass appeal and high probability for nationwide name recognition and presence particularly among the majority of the voting class. Also, in the spirit of balance, such personality should come from the either the South East or South- South.
The runner up appears to fit this bill. His deep knowledge of party politics, wide reach and the fact that unlike others, he only picked one nomination form for office of the president makes him a passionate partner in the long distance race ahead. For instance, he proved to be the surprise of the 2022 presidential primaries by garnering votes even from unlikely places. This was clearly displayed at the velodrome of the MKO Abiola national stadium in Abuja. No doubt, his performance wowed many including his biggest critics. The way and manner he was able to galvanize support from different parts of the country speaks volume as to his deep understanding of the Nigerian politics and the current language of it.
As a serving state governor, Wike has outperformed many current state governors in terms of infrastructure development was has hugely transformed Rivers state into massive world class facility with a road map. As at the last count, Wike has constructed and commissioned nine (9) flyover bridges across the state.
At his assumption of office, Nyesom Wike built and handed over a modern conference center fitted with standard facilities to the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA situated in a high brow area of Portharcourt. Being a lawyer himself, Wike in 2021 approved the construction of a campus for the newly approved Nigerian law school PortHarcourt. Speaking when members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters led by its chairman, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Port Harcourt in November 2021, Wike said his government has earmarked the sum of N21b for the project.
Governor Nyesom Wike’s leadership ability has also been proven in the manner he has addressed the numerous security challenges he inherited from his predecessor in the state. Recall that kidnapping, gun violence and other violent crimes were prevalent in the state when he took over as governor in 2015. Today Rivers state is among the few states enjoying relative peace and security.
In 2018 after a notorious criminal Johnson Igwedibia, aka Don Waney led his gang to massacre 23 citizens of the state on new year day, Wike didn’t just speak like other governors would do, he declared Don Wanny wanted and place bounty on his head. Six (6) days later, the notorious Don Wanny was captured and given his own treatment by troops. That is a typical example of leadership at a time of crisis.
Aside his developmental projects which are spread across Rivers state, Wike has also proven to be a loyal party man. At a time when the PDP was having crisis that almost tore the party apart, Wike stepped in and provided the needed leadership which brought about the installation of Senator Ahmad Mohammed Makarfi as interim chairman of the party, a decision that eventually led to the smooth transition to a new National Working Committee, NWC in 2017.
Wike also showed loyalty and leadership in the party during the 2020 gubernatorial elections in Edo state. As the head of the PDP campaign he exhibited great courage and leadership during the governorship election that returned Governor Godwin Obaseki elected having defected from the APC months earlier.
After the PDP presidential election, Nyesom Wike reiterated his loyalty to the party, an action that best explains the phrase “Gracious in defeat”. In a statement posted on his official Facebook page and Twitter handle, Wike declared his support for the former VP saying that “I made a vow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that I will support whoever emerges from the Presidential Primaries, and I am not going to go back on my word.”
“We cannot abandon the PDP, we will be fully supporting Atiku Abubakar,” said Wike barely 24 hours after losing the presidential ticket to Atiku.
As Atiku and the PDP continue the search for a VP running mate, the party should as a matter of necessity pick Nyesom Wike whose suitability is a known fact going by his performance as governor of Rivers state.
