Nigerians react to nomination of Wike, El-Rufai as ministers

The recent nomination of Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, and Nyesom Wike, the ex-Governor of Rivers State, as ministers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians.

Reports from The Nation indicate that the ministerial list was sent to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday morning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

While some Nigerians were not surprised by Wike’s inclusion in the list, given his previous affiliation with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his actions during the 2023 presidential election, others are raising concerns about his party allegiance.

The question that lingers in the minds of many is whether Wike will continue to remain a member of the PDP while serving as a minister under the government of an opposition party.

Critics argue that Wike’s outcry and actions following his defeat in the PDP presidential primary, where he lost the ticket to Atiku Abubakar, were driven by personal interests rather than the broader national interest.

As a result, they express skepticism about the intentions behind his appointment as a minister and speculate that it could signify the end of the PDP’s influence in the country.

As the nomination stirs debate among Nigerians, the Senate’s confirmation process will likely be closely watched, and citizens will be keen to see how these nominees address concerns raised by their inclusion in the ministerial list. The political landscape awaits further developments, and the public remains attentive to the potential implications of these appointments on the nation’s governance and party dynamics