The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in a state of confusion because of an unexpected alliance between President Bola Tinubu and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. This alliance has left the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state uncertain.
The alliance between Tinubu and Wike began during the presidential election when Wike ignored his own party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Things escalated when the President appointed Wike as a member of his cabinet, seemingly as a way to reward him for his support during the election.
With these developments, the fate of the APC in Rivers State and the PDP hangs in the balance. Wike, a prominent member of the PDP, has repeatedly declared that he cannot be suspended by the party. He even took the PDP to court to prevent any disciplinary action against him. However, the court ruled that the PDP has the right to suspend or expel Wike if it follows the law.
The PDP has not taken any action against Wike yet, leaving the party in a paralyzed state in Rivers. The same situation can be seen in the Rivers APC, where influential figures like former Governor Chibuike Amaechi and governorship candidates Dakuku Peterside, Tonye Cole, and others have been silenced.
When asked about the alliance between Wike and Tinubu, the national Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, expressed his disinterest in commenting on the matter. He emphasized that no individual, no matter how important, is bigger than the political party. The Publicity Secretary of the APC in Rivers State, Darlington Nwauju, focused on the party’s concern about being sidelined by its own government on a national level. He stated that while the President has the right to appoint whoever he wants, the Rivers APC wants him to prioritize members of the party in his appointments.
The alliance between Wike and Tinubu has created confusion and uncertainty in Rivers State. Both the APC and the PDP are grappling with the consequences of this unexpected partnership. Only time will tell how this alliance will impact the political landscape in the state.
