Politics
Wike: The Making Of An Iconoclast
As the 2023 general elections beckon, the media have been awash daily with activities of many of the contenders and pretenders for elective offices in the nation’s political landscape.
This has led to some rifts and clashes of interest among personalities and their loyalists within and between political parties, a development that is already a burning topic of discussions in the public domain among society watchers and public affairs commentators.
Of topmost importance to my minds is the one rocking the main opposition party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), involving the agitation for the removal of the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, by the G5 Governors or the Integrity Group led by His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike, (CON, GSSRS, Life Bencher) the Executive Governor of Rivers State, who, with all humility, I prefer to describe as the Nigerian iconoclast of this generation .
His agitation is clearly for the rights of Southern Nigeria in this generation and those yet unborn across party lines. He and his co -travellers are insisting that power at the centre should shift to the South in the coming dispensation.
To begin with, they insist that their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), must show example: the North cannot have the Presidential Candidate and the National Chairmanship slots at the same time. Governor Wike’s agitation that one of these positions be conceded to the South of Nigeria clearly supports my description of him.
“Every age, every generation produces an iconoclast, eclectic, eccentric, quirky and unusual figure who ironically represents the measure, values, the essence of that age or generation and becomes the icon of that age or generation. They are not conventional persons, they are peculiar, odd, aberrant, curious, capricious, quaint, queer and even erratic. Somehow, in spite of their unusualness, they remain unusually loveable. They cannot be ignored. They are usually unobtrusive, yet their presence is forceful”. This is the postulation of Sen. Victor Udoma- Egba(SAN) in his book on Uche Chukwumerije titled “A Book is Closed” a tribute.
For many political disciples of Governor Wike like me, he perfectly fits into the above description of an iconoclast, a political father who is blunt and pungent when it comes to speaking the truth, no ornamentation, no colouration, no gimmicks and no window dressing. He is not dogmatic but cannot be influenced by anybody, especially when he is fighting for integrity, fair play and justice for humanity.
Though some very few mis-informed see Wike’s agitation as personal, it is right time they had a rethink as the political cloud keeps getting clearer towards the February, 2023, presidential election.
It is heartwarming though that some elders of the PDP like Chief Olabode George and other party faithful from the South have concurred with Governor Wike and the G5 Integrity Group’s agitation, advising that their principled stance, if not properly and appropriately addressed by the national caucus of the party, may lead to a disastrous outing in next year’s general elections.
They agree that the Governors are indeed speaking their mind and that of the people of Southern Nigeria who are not comfortable with the prospect of the presidency being retained by the North after the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari from the North. Their position hinges on the fact, that while electioneering can be done on the pages of newspapers, electronic and social media, elections proper are not won in the same way but with unity of the political party members, especially when the G5 Integrity Group members are some of the major pillars of the party.
Governor Nyesom Wike, going by his commendable performance in office over the years is, by all standards, a gallant, performing, unassuming and yet very promising politician and is leading his G5 Integrity Group in refusing to accept a chicken change in place of political rights of the entire Southern Nigeria.
His journey is to revoke political marginalisation as well as mediocrity, a journey to say ‘No’ to cheap misrepresentation and enslavement of the good people of Southern Nigeria, irrespective of party differences and ideologies. An important crusade like this cannot be championed by a mere politician but an iconoclast.
It is on record that he is the only Governor that has been able to unify leaders, political parties and peoples in the nation today, evidenced by being the only politician ever to achieve the feat of wooing the opposition to commissioning and flag -offs of quality projects delivered by his administration.
From the South-East, three State governors and others across party affiliation have been special guests to Governor Wike for projects’ commissioning and flag -offs. As well, Governors and notable personalities have been drawn from the South-West, the North. And even the President of the nation himself from the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not exempted.
To my mind, the Governor is the first to practice politics without bitterness in our nation. He is one of those who firmly believes that “To ignore the fact does not change the fact” according to Andy Rooney.
Governor Wike’s G5 Integrity Group can be likened to a political train that must be approached with extreme caution or be faced with political displacement or irrelevance for ever. “Agreement is Agreement” is their cardinal focus which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is ignoring but capable of working against its fortune at the center in 2023.
One may wonder why political commentators are daily listening to Governor Wike’s stand on this matter and seeing his views as that of a true leader we need. Nothing can change the fact that the opposition party (PDP) reached an agreement among themselves before the last party primaries that saw the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a Northerner, as the Presidential candidate of the party, that Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, also a Northerner as National Chairman, would resign if a Northern politician emerges the Presidential flag bearer of the party.
The G5 Integrity Group members, ably led by Governor Wike of Rivers State, are Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Samuel Ortom of Benue State. Other respectable party elders, former governors and founding members, as well as active members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are united over this message.
In one accord, as politicians of like minds, they had made it clear that they are against any politician plotting to scuttle power shift to the South. They are equally adamant that they are solidly behind Governor Wike’s call for the resignation of the National Chairman of the PDP, and that that condition must be met before they can work for the party come February, 2023 presidential election.
While some myopic group of politicians are busy trying to blackmail the ICON (Wike) with lies of plotting to work against the party that he put in unquantifiable efforts to keep attractive and workable, his pedigree and brinkmanship is attaining both mercurial and phenomenal proportion. He has distinguished himself as a politician who understands the intricate polemics of Nigerian political landscape.
Governor Wike as the leader of the Integrity Group is a bridge builder, appreciated by both the old and young as well as politicians and non-politicians, wishing he was the Presidential candidate of the major opposition. By his unflinching demand for fairness and justice within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Governor has, unknown to himself, epitomised the political messiah of Southern Nigeria and an iconoclast of our generation.
His commendable association with governors of like minds and other politicians, even those who are presidential candidates across party affiliations, makes him stand conspicuously as the leader with a mission for the downtrodden people of Southern Nigeria, as well as equity, fairness and justice for our nation.
For long, Southern Nigeria prayed for a leader and they have now been answered. As indications show today, till tomorrow, almost all news media and social platforms in Nigeria would want to highlight and stream the actions and activities of Governor Wike of Rivers State.
Traditional news platforms, newspaper stands and major social media platforms without headlines, highlights of stories and pictures of the Governor are seen as not serious information dissemination channels. No looking elsewhere for the people’s leader. In solidarity, we all should acknowledge this God-given iconoclast of this Nigerian generation for the political right of the people, volunteering to fight for the Southern down-trodden citizens in a country they are regarded as the famished golden hen that lays the golden egg.
Without fear of contradiction, Governor Wike’s agitation for fair play, justice and equality in Nigeria is an eye-opener for detractors as well as those who are short-sighted in what will befall us in the nearest future. The Nigerian iconoclast is heading somewhere. Time will tell.
By: Odinaka Osundu
Mr. Osundu, commentator on public affairs, resides in Port Harcourt.
The Senate yesterday urged President Bola Tinubu to remove the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Hussaini Magaji, over what lawmakers described as a persistent refusal to appear before its Committee on Finance.
The resolution followed a motion raised by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu during a session where members of the President’s economic team were present for engagement with the committee.
Tension rose at the commencement of the meeting when agency heads were introduced and senators observed the absence of the CAC Registrar-General, who had been invited to account for the commission’s activities, particularly on revenue matters.
Moving the motion, Kalu expressed anger over what he termed repeated disregard for legislative oversight, accusing the CAC boss of consistently avoiding invitations to appear before the committee.
He said, “Since I came to the Senate, this CAC man has always given excuses that he is in the Villa or going to London. He is not above the law. This man is not coming to the Senate. Look at the ministers of finance and budget. They are both here. We summoned them and they came.
“But this man thinks he’s bigger than the Senate. We’re not going to take that rubbish again. He had refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee. We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.
“I move a motion that the man should be reported to Mr President and ask for immediate removal because we cannot continue with him. Is that what we’re doing here? He should come and give us an account of what he had done.”
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, corroborated the concerns, pointing to unresolved discrepancies in the reconciliation of the commission’s revenues.
He noted that despite several invitations, the registrar-general had failed to show up to address the issues raised by senators.
“The registrar-general of the Corporate Affairs Commission has refused on so many occasions to honour the calls, invitations or summons of this most important committee.
“There are only about three committees that are in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Committee of Finance is one of those committees. Sections 88, and 89 have given us these powers.
“And as registrar-general, we have issues with the reconciliation of their revenue. Anytime he is invited, he will give us one reason or another, and he will send junior officers to come and talk to the Senate. That cannot be accepted,” he said.
In a further show of frustration, Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed that the Senate escalate the matter by withholding approval of the CAC’s 2026 budget pending the registrar-general’s personal appearance before the committee.
Oshiomhole also suggested that the commission be restrained from spending its internally generated revenue without prior approval of the national assembly.
“This senate should decline to appropriate anything in the 2026 budget until we are satisfied that he has accounted for previous money and spending properly.
“And should he spend money that is not appropriated, he should be heading to Kuje prison,” Oshiomhole said.
The motion urging the President to remove the CAC Registrar-General was subsequently put to a voice vote and adopted.
The development underscores renewed assertiveness by the Senate in exercising its constitutional oversight functions, particularly over revenue-generating agencies.
The Corporate Affairs Commission, which regulates companies and business registrations in Nigeria, is a key contributor to non-oil revenue, making accountability and transparency central to its operations.
President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of State Police to tackle insecurity nationwide.
President Tinubu made the appeal during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.
The president said that the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions.
He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement.
“We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to make a right response to this cause. What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” he said.
The president commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Senate, saying that unity is needed to defeat terrorism and banditry in the country.
“It is a good thing that we are working in harmony, we are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all.
Tinubu thanked the Senate for its unflinching support towards achieving various economic reforms of his administration, especially the fuel subsidy removal and tax reform policy.
“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together. What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange.
You don’t have to chase me for dollars; you could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud, and I am glad you are. What we are enjoying is a stable economy, and prosperity is beckoning us. We need to work hard, and this attendance means a lot to me,” the president said.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the president for hosting the leadership of the Senate to the Interfaith breaking of fast.
He commended President Tinubu for providing the visionary leadership the nation needs at this critical time, stating that the administration’s bold reforms have now brought more revenue to governors at the sub-national level for the development of critical infrastructure.
The Senate President prayed for the administration, and for the nation’s peace and prosperity.
Alhaji Mohammed Kasim, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has won the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Philip Akpeni, the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the results on Sunday morning.
Alhaji Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat Alhaji Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 17,788 votes.
Alhaji Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 1, 687 to come in third place.
“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Gwagwalada chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026,” Akpeni said.
“That Mohammed Kasim of PDP, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
In the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the chairmanship poll with 40,295 votes.
Andrew Abue, the Collation Officer for AMAC, said Hon. Maikalangu, who is the incumbent AMAC chairman, was returned elected having scored the highest number of votes cast.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 3,398 votes.
According to Abue, the total number of valid votes in the chairmanship poll was 62,861, while the total votes cast stood at 65,197.
He added that the number of registered voters in AMAC was 837,338, while the total number of accredited voters was 65,676.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr. Joshua Ishaku of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Bwari Area Council Chairmanship election.
Announcing the result on Sunday in Bwari, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Mohammed Nurudeen, stated that Ishaku polled a total of 18,466 votes to emerge victorious in the February 21, 2026 poll.
“I am the Returning Officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Bwari chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026. That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Nurudeen said.
According to the results declared, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 4,254 votes, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 3,515 votes to place second and third respectively.
The declaration adds to the series of results emerging from the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, as political parties assess their performance ahead of future contests.
INEC UPLOADS 2,602 OF 2,822 FCT CHAIRMANSHIP RESULTS ON IReV
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had uploaded 2,602 out of the 2,822 expected polling unit results from Saturday’s chairmanship elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as at 5:55am on Sunday, data retrieved from its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) showed.
According to The Tide source, the figure represents an overall upload rate of about 92.2 per cent across the six area councils of the territory.
A council-by-council breakdown indicates that Municipal Area Council recorded the highest number of submissions in absolute terms, with 1,309 of 1,401 polling unit results uploaded, representing 93.43 per cent.
In Gwagwalada Area Council, 330 of the expected 338 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 97.63 per cent — the highest upload rate among the six councils.
In Bwari Area Council, INEC uploaded 463 of 485 polling unit results, translating to 95.46 per cent.
In Abaji Area Council, 129 of 135 polling unit results had been uploaded as at 5:55am, representing 95.56 per cent.
In Kwali Area Council, 164 of the expected 201 polling unit results were available on the portal, representing 81.59 per cent.
In Kuje Area Council, 207 of 262 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 79.01 per cent — the lowest rate among the six councils as at the time of review.
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