Wike, left, with Ganduje
Wike in surprise visit to Ganduje, gives defection rumour substance
Minister-designate and immediate-past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, visited the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Dr. Abdullahi Umar Gnaduje, in his Abuja residence.
The visit, which Wike described as congratulatory, has generated controversies in the face of the speculated defection of the former Rivers State Governor to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The defection rumour is said to be given substance by the remarks from Wike’s successor, Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers State, shortly after he assumed office on May 29, in which he enjoined Wike not to abandon him if he ends up in the ruling party.
“While we are seeing sign that it’s like you want to go over to the other side with everybody wishing that, please don’t be too far from me because I know that the sharks, the tigers are really around looking for what to hurt. So, being around would continue to guide and put my head straight for the purpose of this state,” Fubara had stated during a thanksgiving service organised in Wike’s honour.
Wike’s emergence as minister-designate did not come as a surprise, as not a few Nigerians believe that it was fulfilment of a political IOU after working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against his party’s candidate at the 2023 presidential poll.