The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has revealed internal discussions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prior to the 2023 presidential election.
According to Wike, key PDP leaders Atiku Abubakar, Uche Secondus, and Bukola Saraki had agreed that he would be allowed to nominate the Minister of Petroleum Resources if the party won the presidency.
According to Vanguard, Wike said the promise was made as part of power-sharing negotiations aimed at strengthening party unity and rewarding loyalty within the ranks.
“Atiku, Secondus, and Saraki told me that I would be the one to nominate the Petroleum Minister if PDP wins the 2023 election,” Wike stated. “It was not a backdoor deal. It was a strategic agreement meant to balance interests and give the South a strong stake.”
Wike’s statement comes amid ongoing tensions within the PDP and speculation about behind-the-scenes deals during the party’s campaign period.
Neither Atiku, Secondus, nor Saraki has publicly responded to the claim as of the time of this report. Political observers say the revelation may further complicate efforts to reconcile aggrieved factions within the party.
