Former Governor of Jigawa State and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has taken a swipe at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, describing him as someone willing to be used for specific political purposes.
In an interview with The Sun, Lamido dismissed Wike’s influence within the PDP, asserting that he played no significant role in the party’s rise.
He further argued that Wike’s influence in the political space is tied solely to the platforms and positions he occupies.
Lamido speaking on PDP political issue said, “You see, I have never seen Wike as a political issue. I see Wike as a character who is willing to be used for a purpose. I mean if you look at the Nigerian history and the rise of PDP, Wike has no role in PDP.
“He was only opportune to be holding public positions – as a governor, as a minister. Those positions have been propping him up. He is simply acting on the platforms of those positions. Remove the positions and he is gone from the political space.
“Where is the former governor of Benue State, Ortom today? Where is the former governor of Abia State today? Do you still hear about them? Where is the G-5 today? Wike , Makinde, Ortom, Ikpeazu and others? You are only hearing of Makinde and Wike.
“Makinde, yes because he is still a governor. Before his election, who was Makinde? He was an unknown quantity. I am being honest! If Wike was not a minister today, he would have been history. Like I always say, it is the office talking , not the personality. He has no political personality at all.
“His political personality is inconsequential. It is the office which he is using to control situations. That is all.”
Speaking on APC using Wike for crisis in political parties said, “You see that is why they are keeping him. What I am saying is that if they sack him, he is going to be like Ortom.
“Look at Ortom, they were having meetings in Barcelona, in Madrid, in Paris, all over because they were availing themselves of the resources of the office they were holding.
“Can they meet abroad now? They cannot meet abroad now because the office that Ortom was occupying has been removed and Ortom has become an ordinary person like Sule Lamido – a former governor like me.
“He cannot talk anymore because where is that leverage? The samething with the other two governors from Abia, Ikpeazu and Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Makinde is there because he is a governor. Wike is very, very lucky as a machinery being used by APC in the PDP.
“They appointed him a Minister of Abuja and he is their resources and that is why he is still visible and relevant. Wike as a person doesn’t exist? To me, very soon , he is going to be a political history!”