2023: Wike Backs Bala Mohammed’s Presidential Aspiration

By Akinwale Kasali

In a surprise move,

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has backed his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, in his aspiration to run for the seat of the President in 2023.

Until now, many had thought that Wike had two aspirations in 2023 – to run for the office of the President, or be  running mate to Atiku Abubakar who is going to run for that office  for the fourth time.

But speaking in Bauchi during a visit to Bala on New Year’s day where he chose to spend the New Year instead of staying in his State,  Wike asked the

opposition Party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to work  collectively and strategize on how to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC come 2023.

The  Governor described the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC administration as woeful and said it, has failed “astronomically” in governance since it got to the saddle.

Wike also warned that, “God will never forgive PDP members if the party fails to take advantage of the woeful failure of the APC  Federal Government to take over power in Nigeria in 2023 to salvage the country.

According to the Rivers State Governor, “If PDP makes the mistake of not listening to Nigeria at this trying period, it will be difficult for God to forgive PDP because this is an opportunity to save Nigeria. We are in problem now and only the PDP will lead Nigeria out. So we must take that responsibility”.

He stressed further that the APC and President Buhari have failed Nigeria and Nigerians to the point where even their diehard supporters have backed out and are regretting voting them into power.

Assuring their supporters and Nigerians that the PDP will put its house in order, Wike said the PDP is set to face the challenges ahead. As the only political party that has remained intact since its formation in 1998, Wike said it is a demonstration of strong will to rule the country.

Revealing his reason for the courtesy visit to Governor Abdulkadir on New Year’s Day, Governor Wike explained that he left Port Harcourt to be in Bauchi in an effort to make the PDP a united party and, secondly, because Bala Mohammed is a special friend he holds in high esteem

He said that, “I have not even gone to see my parents. I have not seen my community. I have not seen anybody today. We just decided that the first place we must be is Bauchi”.

He stressed that he and Bala Mohammed have resolved to make Nigeria better hence the meeting, assuring that the meeting would continue until the aim was achieved just as he assured that whatever it is will be made public soon.

Delving into Bala Mohammed’s presidential aspiration, Wike stated that, “Apart from the fact Bala Mohammed has had all the experiences, from the civil service down to political office from a Director in the ministry, he became a Senator, a Minister and now a Governor, that alone is enough to qualify him.

“Also look at what he is doing in Bauchi. Look at his pedigree, what he is doing as a first term Governor. I have been here to flag off projects. So many of my colleagues have been here to flag off projects. How many first time governors do you see doing that?”.

He opined that the call on Bala Mohammed to run for President in 2023 was not misplaced as the Bauchi Sate Governor is “very qualified to run for President in this country”

He added that if the lot falls on Bala Mohammed to contest for president, he would give him the necessary support adding:  “Bauchi State Governor’s future is bright”

“Bala Mohammed is overqualified. Let me use that word if there is any word like that at all. Bala Mohammed, is overqualified to fly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the 2023 presidential election”.

“He is qualified in every ramification. His relationship with people is second to none, so people calling on him to run for president have seen the qualities in him,” he stated

He said that the opposition PDP would gladly welcome qualified politicians like Bala Mohammed to replace the “failed leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.”

On his part Bala Mohammed described Wike as an amiable person “who is always full of pleasant surprises like today’s visit was a surprise.”

He said that, “Today’s visit has really exhilarated a feeling in me that I have more than a brother in Rivers. I have always looked up to Wike and I have always told him he is a leader not because he is a Governor or he has money, but the stuff he is made up of. Very tough stuff and he is the face of PDP today and coming to Bauchi today my day has been made”

On the agitation by some groups for him to contest the presidency in 2023,Bala Mohammed said that he has exceeded his personal expectations of himself having once to been a Director, a Senator, Minister of FCT and now a Governor.

According to Bala Mohammed, “What we are after (Wike and I ) is the unity of this country, the progress and development of Nigeria, although I cannot claim to be near him in projects because he is the face of Project in the country.”

Bala Mohammed then appreciated Nyesom Wike for his courage, forthrightness and capacity to ”say it as it is and we try to follow you for your capacity to see the truth which is unmatched by anybody and people misunderstand you but I am proud to be with you and I assure you that we will not have any reason to fight.”

The two men have, by their meeting and utterances, raised the possibility of a Bala/Wike ticket in 2023.