As a mythical bird Phoenix, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyeson wike, has risen from the ashes of a bitter political defeat that left him sprawling on the floor to become a beautiful bride that top political stakeholders, including presidential candidates are now visiting, wooing for support to realise their political ambition.
The People’s Democratic Party’s intra- party election to pick it’s presidential candidate had given Wike a blood nose.
He was beaten to the second position by Atiku Abubakar, who emerged the choice candidate of the party.
Alienation of Wike from political relevance was, however completed when Atiku Abubakar preferred the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, as the vice presidential candidate of the PDP. The rejection of Wike came after a 16- member committee led by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, that was set up by the party to choose a presidential running mate voted Wike. 12 members of the committee chose Wike, they were the majority, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, however rejected the committee verdict. The radical positive political change for Wike came a few days after those who belived that the Rivers State Governor was finished politically when he suddenly bounced back with a telling effect on the political terrain. It was remembered that he was the pillar that sustained PDP after the party lost the 2019 presidential election. His successful effort that enabled PDP to win the governorship election in Bayelsa and Edo State earned him the tag of great mobiliser.
Besides, Wike huge war chest that had empowered him to spread his influence across the six geo – polical zone of the country also came to the fire.
It was therefore, not a surprise that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi came to Port Harcourt in June, 2022 to woo Wike for support in his quest to win the 2023 presidential election.
Two days after, on June 24, 2022, the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, came calling on Wike at his private home in Rivers State. Observers suspended that the Governor visited Wike to plead the case of Atiku Abubakar. The same day many senators came to consult Wike and seek his support for Atiku Abubakar. That was how Wike’s private home became a mecca for all politicians and office seekers.
Again, the grapevine had it on record that All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu, has also consulted Wike. The overture was not unconnected with having Wike’s support to enable him realise his presidential ambition, come 2023.
The consultation between Tinubu and Wike at the weekend, continue in Europe. Tinubu was reported to have gone to France to hold a meeting crucial to his ambition, it was, therefore, not a surprise that speculation was rife that that meeting with Wike outside Nigerian’s shores was one of those meetings.