The race for the minority leadership position in the Senate has taken an intense turn as former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and some lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) oppose Aminu Tambuwal‘s bid for the coveted role.
News About Nigeria understands that this opposition highlights the deep divisions within the party and adds further complexity to the already fierce contest.
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, has been actively seeking the minority leadership position, supported by some key stakeholders within the PDP.
However, Wike, who was once a close ally of Tambuwal, has emerged as a formidable opponent to his aspirations. The animosity between the two stems from Tambuwal’s decision to withdraw from the PDP presidential primary and endorse Atiku Abubakar, a move that left Wike feeling betrayed.
Sources reveal that Wike has been actively working with the Senate leadership to thwart Tambuwal’s bid. In a recent meeting with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Wike discussed his strategy to influence the selection of his own associates for the minority leadership positions in the Red Chamber.
He aims to place his ally, Kingsley Chinda, as the minority leader in the House of Representatives and is making similar efforts to achieve the same outcome in the Senate.
The opposition to Tambuwal’s bid goes beyond Wike’s camp, with some PDP lawmakers expressing their resistance to his emergence as the minority leader.
These lawmakers draw parallels to the alleged imposition of Akpabio as Senate president and argue that the decision should be made by the party’s hierarchy rather than external forces.
They stress the importance of selecting a minority leader who genuinely represents the interests of the people and ensures robust opposition in the Senate.
However, supporters of Tambuwal remain unfazed by the opposition, maintaining that his bid for the minority leadership position is fueled by his commitment to fostering inclusivity and building bridges across party line.
