Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has said that ex-Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike “must serve” in the Tinubu’s government as he has what it takes to serve as Minister.
In a chat with Channels TV on Sunday night, July 9, Fayose said that members of the G5 or Integrity Group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be appreciated by President Bola Tinubu for the role they played in his victory at the February 25, 2023 presidential election. He said the G5 has no intention of crossing over from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but maintained that the PDP leadership must put its house in order. The G5 is made up of four PDP ex-governors, Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Nyesom Wike (Rivers) as well as one current governor, Seyi Makinde (Oyo).
While responding to a question on the possibility of Wike serving as a Minister in President Tinubu’s cabinet, Fayose said;
“What is wrong with that? How is anybody affected by that? I don’t want to be minister but if Asiwaju (Tinubu) says ‘Fayose, you will be minister’ and I agree, what is their headache?” I want Wike to be in cabinet. Wike has what it takes to serve Nigeria. Wike is an articulate, capacity person. Nigeria needs (an) average bad person. I support Wike. If Asiwaju finds him or any of the G5 worthy, please serve in Asiwaju’s government. I will be disappointed if Asiwaju does not equally appreciate them for what they stand to represent. Wike must serve. Wike is still a young man. I’m his senior brother, he can’t deny that. Wike is an asset to Nigeria. Wike is never timid, he confronts challenges. Asiwaju needs a man like Wike.”
Recall that in the build-up to the 2023 election, the G-5 governors worked against the victory of their party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The governors were aggrieved over the party chairman, Iyocha Ayu’s decision not to step down as chairman since a Northerner had emerged their party flagbearer. Wike and the G-5 governors insisted that they had an agreement prior to the party’s presidential primary that if a Northerner emerges the flagbearer, Ayu who is also a Northerner must immediately step down and allow a Southerner take over the position. The G-5 governors became angry as the party failed to ensure Ayu stepped down and this forced them to work against the party.
Wike has been accused of ensuring that President Tinubu won Rivers state during the Presidential election.
