Drama looms as PDP, APC appoint Wike into Bayelsa election Campaign Councils

A political twist has left supporters and observers baffled as the two major Nigerian political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have named Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as a member of their respective campaign councils for the upcoming Bayelsa governorship election.

This unexpected move has raised eyebrows and prompted questions within both parties.

The official campaign lists released by both the APC and PDP revealed Wike’s inclusion as a member of the campaign councils, ranking sixth in the APC list and twelfth in the PDP list for Bayelsa State. Notably, Wike has not resigned from the PDP despite a prior disagreement with the party during the lead-up to the February presidential election. His recent appointment as a minister by President Bola Tinubu has further added intrigue to the situation.

Within the APC, Gombe Governor Inuwa Yahaya has been designated as the chairman of the party’s governorship campaign council for Bayelsa. Other notable names listed include Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume as co-chairmen.

Meanwhile, Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun has been chosen to lead the 135-member campaign council for the Kogi Governorship election. This council comprises co-chairmen such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Niger State Governor Umar Bago, and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.

In a similar vein, for the Imo election, the APC has designated Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu as the council chairman, with co-chairmen including Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

The appointment of Nyesom Wike to the Bayelsa campaign councils of both major parties has added an unexpected layer of complexity to the political landscape, leading to speculation and discussions about the potential implications of this development.