‘Why President Tinubu Appointed Wike Minister’ – Ogunlewe

A former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe on Sunday evening suggested that the nomination of Nyesom Wike as a minister is a reward for his role in President Bola Tinubu’s rise to power.

Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, under the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), supported Tinubu’s campaign, creating a rift within his own party.

About two months after Tinubu took office, he sent a list of ministerial nominees to the Senate, featuring Wike, who hasn’t officially left the PDP.

This move has sparked controversy, but Ogunlewe defended Wike’s nomination, citing his significant role in the election outcome.

He said, “It is so easy to decipher. If you are following the development that cumulated in the last election, you would know the role Wike played and you must give him compensation for that role.”

Ogunlewe also noted that other individuals who supported the APC during the election deserve nominations.

He named ex-Governor, Dave Umahi, and Nasir El-Rufai as examples, praising Umahi’s infrastructure work in Ebonyi State and suggesting it could be replicated on a national level.

Ogunlewe cautioned the nominees to remain loyal to the party’s manifesto, believing that Tinubu “will not allow you [cabinet members] to mess him up.” He urged the nominees to be prepared for hard work.