Fayose, who appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, said Nyesom Wike has what it takes to be a minister and “must serve” in the Tinubu’s government, adding that the former rebel governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be appreciated by President Bola Tinubu for the role they played in his victory in the election.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has told Presidential Bola Tinubu to appoint former Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike as his minister for his efforts towards the ruling party All Progressive Congress (APC) victory during the 2023 general election.
Fayose, who appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, said Nyesom Wike has what it takes to be a minister and “must serve” in the Tinubu’s government, adding that the former rebel governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be appreciated by President Bola Tinubu for the role they played in his victory in the election.
He maintained that the G5 had 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).
“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.”
Tinubu, who was inaugurated as Nigeria’s President on May 29, 2023, constitutionally has 60 days to form his cabinet and there have been reports that he would include some members of the opposition like Wike and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)’s flag bearer, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
In the run-up to the February 25 presidential election, Wike, who lost the PDP primary to his party's flag nominee, Atiku Abubakar, in May 2022, was shamelessly open about his opposition to the former Vice-President's 2023 presidential ambition.
Wike, who served as a minister in ex-President Goodluck Jonathan's government, was governor of Rivers from May 2015 until May 2023.
Wike and his G5 allies had requested that the then-PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, step down in order for a southern replacement to support Atiku. In the recently ended elections, both Atiku and Ayu called the governors' bluff and refused to cave to their demands.
In the presidential election, Atiku lost in all the G-5 states, while the Labour Party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, won Enugu and Abia, and the APC's Tinubu won Oyo, Benue, and Rivers.
Tinubu won in 12 of Nigeria's 36 states and received strong support in numerous others, claiming the most votes — 8,794,726, over two million more than his nearest challenger, Atiku.
Atiku, 76, who has already stood for president six times, received 6,984,520 votes, while Obi, who in less than a year mobilised youthful people in an unprecedented manner, received 6,101,533.