Sanwo-Olu’s romance with Wike may not be unconnected with ongoing political realignment among various political camps ahead of next year’s presidential election.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears far from over. On Tuesday, October 18, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, threw another punch again at his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, while in the company of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Wike visited Lagos to attend an event organized by the state government. He used the occasion to tell the media that Nigeria needs experienced and tested leaders, not those talking about ethnicity. Sanwo-Olu flanked him while making the comment.
Recall that at an event in Kaduna organized by the Arewa Joint Committee on Saturday, October 15, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said what the North needs is a northern candidate.
“I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country. I think what the average northerner needs is somebody who is from the NORTH, who also understands the other parts of Nigeria and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country. This is what the northerner needs. He (the northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs. I stand before you as a pan-Nigerian of northern origin.”
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At the sideline of the event, Wike, who earlier praised Sanwo-Olu’s developmental strides, said: “What Nigeria needs is a president that has the interest of Nigeria, a president that has the experience in governance, a president that can put food on the table, to fight insecurity. That is what we are looking for, not people who are talking about ethnicity.”
Wike was then asked who he has in mind as that president. He responded: “Don’t worry.” He then walked away, giggling while Sanwo-Olu joined him in the laughter.
Sanwo-Olu’s romance with Wike may not be unconnected with ongoing political realignment among various political camps ahead of next year’s presidential election.
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