Wike likely honing defection to APC he once described as ‘cancer’
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nyesom Wike on Tuesday visited All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje at his private residence in Abuja, stoking speculation of the imminent defection of the former Rivers Governor to the party he was once described as suffering from “cancer”.
Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been nominated by President Bola Tinubu for a ministerial job and is among the 45 names cleared by the Senate.
He once declared on national television that he would not join the APC, saying the PDP is suffering from a mere “malaria” while the APC has “cancer”. It will not happen, Wike insisted.
“How can I leave malaria which can be easily treated for cancer that has no cure?” he asked rhetorically.
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Ganduje happy to see Wike
Wike, the former PDP G5 mastermind who publicly shunned Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and allegedly helped Bola Tinubu carry Rivers in the presidential election on February 25, was warmly received by Ganduje.
Photographs of the meeting are trending on social media.
Hours after hosting Wike and his delegation, Ganduje was spotted coming to the APC secretariat in Abuja at about 2.35pm, per reporting by The PUNCH.
The meeting was held a week after Tinubu hosted Wike and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai in Aso Rock.
Both Wike and El-Rufai were screened for ministerial slots by the Senate two weeks ago. Wike scaled through but some Senators raised dust over petitions written against El-Rufai alleging he committed crimes. He later withdrew his nomination.
Some PDP big wigs have advocated for the expulsion of Wike for alleged anti-party activities and his latest gambit will further fuel calls for his rustication from the party that once ruled Nigeria for 16 straight years.
APC sees nothing wrong in Wike’s visit
The PDP feathers are being ruffled again by Wike but APC Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim argued there is nothing wrong with the loquacious man visiting Ganduje.
“You can see from what the National Chairman said yesterday (at the meeting of former Deputy Governors) that he wants to improve on the fortunes of the party, which is an indirect way of saying he is not ruling any option out,” Ibrahim explained.
“He wants to see to that the party grows from strength to strength. He has come to improve the gains of the party, especially now that we are some isolated [off-season] gubernatorial elections in some states.
“He is not too far from operating an open-door policy per se. You also heard how he encouraged the visiting 14 members of Kano State House of Assembly yesterday to give the state Governor all the supports he needs.
“A man that has such kind of disposition is not opposed to reconciliation and cross-carpeting from the other side to his side. I think that shows maturity in politics.
“Ganduje is not an antagonistic. He has come with a determination to hit the ground running with néw ideas that will eradicate bitterness in politics. That is exactly what Nigeria needs now. A progressive politics without bitterness.”