Segun Sowunmi, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has pointed to President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Nyesom Wike as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister as a key factor in the ongoing crisis within the opposition party.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Sowunmi argued that Wike’s appointment was a strategic move that has worsened the situation within the PDP.
In his strong statement, Sowunmi emphasized that President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Wike, a key figure in the PDP, was made without consulting the party.
He said, “President Tinubu has no business appointing our member into his cabinet without talking to us. He had no business taking Nyesom Wike from our party and appointing him.”
The statement from Sowunmi highlighted the growing frustration among some members of the PDP who feel betrayed by the move, which they believe has fueled internal divisions.
Sowunmi also referenced the past, comparing Tinubu’s approach to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s method of forming a government of national unity.
“When Obasanjo wanted to form a government of national unity, he ran to the party, but what did he (Tinubu) do?” Sowunmi asked. “He took one of us and put him in a strategic position, and suddenly, the whole thing is complicated.”
Sowunmi’s comments suggest that he believes Obasanjo’s approach, which involved consulting opposition parties, was more considerate and inclusive.
In contrast, Tinubu’s unilateral decision has left the PDP feeling sidelined, and it has deepened the crisis within the party.
Sowunmi did not hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction with the situation, urging President Tinubu to reverse the appointment and bring Wike back into the PDP fold.
“If he wants our party to be okay, he should sack Wike and return him to PDP, but of course, he is not going to do that,” Sowunmi said.
This call for Wike’s return to the PDP shows the deep divisions within the party, with Sowunmi stressing that the party’s future is at risk unless these tensions are resolved.
Despite the turmoil, Sowunmi dismissed rumors about the PDP’s collapse, describing the party as resilient and capable of surviving even in the most challenging times.
He pointed to the party’s ability to endure difficult moments in the past, saying, “PDP is this, PDP is that; who killed it? A party that did not die when Obasanjo tore his card, a party that did not die when Jonathan stood down, a party that did not die all these years is going to die? PDP dieth not.”
With this statement, Sowunmi reinforced his belief that the PDP is not on the verge of collapse, despite the ongoing internal disputes and external pressures.
The controversy surrounding Wike’s appointment as FCT Minister has sparked a wide range of reactions, both within the PDP and among political analysts. Some believe that Wike’s presence in Tinubu’s cabinet is a calculated attempt to weaken the opposition, while others see it as a reflection of the growing political realignment in Nigeria.
For the PDP, the appointment has become a point of contention that highlights the deepening rift between its members. Wike, who was once a strong ally of the PDP, has now been thrust into the heart of the opposition party’s crisis.
Sowunmi’s comments mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga of the PDP’s struggles. The party, which has long been a dominant force in Nigerian politics, is grappling with the fallout from Wike’s appointment and the leadership challenges that have followed.
