THIS DAWN — Prince Eniola Ojajuni, National President of the Afenifere Youth Wing, has captured a revealing account of Governor Nyesom Wike’s political journey in a recent memo.
The document sheds light on Wike’s high-profile alliances across local, state, and national politics—and the eventual regrets that followed each connection.
Early Support in Obio-Akpor
Senator John Mbata was instrumental in Wike’s rise to Obio-Akpor Local Government Area Chairman.
However, the memo notes that Wike later realized maintaining a close relationship with Mbata was a political miscalculation.
Similarly, Dr. Peter Odili and his wife backed Wike in securing a second term as Obio-Akpor Chairman.
While this support was significant at the time, Wike reportedly came to see the alliance with the Odilis as a mistake, reflecting an early pattern of reassessing political partnerships.
Appointments and State-Level Reflections
Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi appointed Wike as Chief of Staff and later nominated him for a ministerial role.
Despite these prominent positions, Wike later viewed his collaboration with Amaechi as a misstep.
These reflections highlight a recurring theme in Wike’s career: strategic alignment followed by critical reassessment of long-term implications.
National Influence and PDP Leadership
On the national stage, Wike’s alliances have been equally notable.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife supported Wike’s election as Governor of Rivers State.
Yet, consistent with prior experiences, Wike later concluded that this relationship was not politically advantageous.
Within the PDP, Wike actively influenced leadership selections.
He backed several individuals for the role of PDP National Chairman, including:
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Ali Modu Sheriff,
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Prince Uche Secondus,
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Iyorchia Ayu, and,
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Amb. Umar Damagun.
In each instance, Wike reportedly realized in retrospect that supporting these figures was a mistake.
The pattern underscores both his influence within the party and a repeated cycle of political recalibration.
State Elections and Governance Decisions
Wike also played a key role in supporting Sir Siminalayi Fubara to become Governor of Rivers State.
The memo indicates that Wike is now acknowledging this endorsement as another misstep, highlighting ongoing reassessment of past political decisions and alliances.
National Politics and Future Reflections
The memo concludes with Wike’s involvement in national politics, specifically his support for Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President.
Prince Ojajuni observes that Wike is likely to soon recognize this endorsement as another political error, continuing the pattern of strategic support followed by reflection and regret.
A Career Marked by Strategic Reassessments
Prince Eniola Ojajuni’s memo paints a portrait of Wike as a political operator whose career is defined by bold alliances and repeated post-facto evaluations.
From local governance to national politics, each relationship—initially viewed as advantageous—has been subject to scrutiny and reconsideration.
Wike’s journey illustrates the complexities of trust, strategy, and decision-making in Nigeria’s often unpredictable political landscape.
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