Tinubu Maybe Happy With Nyesom Wike’s Strategy But 30 Governors Can’t Be Ignored- Mahmud Jega

Political analyst Mahmud Jega offered insights into the complex issues surrounding party leadership and gubernatorial authority under Nigeria’s APC constitution.

“Under APC’s constitution, governors are leaders of their parties in their states,” Jega noted, emphasizing the formal structure that grants state governors primary authority over party affairs locally.

He highlighted that this framework often creates tension when federal officials attempt to influence state-level politics, especially in states where party leadership is contested.

Jega pointed out that Wike, while remaining in the PDP, has been perceived as aligning with APC interests at the national level. “Wike insists he is in PDP but doing APC’s bidding nationally,” he explained, drawing attention to the strategic ambiguity of Wike’s current political positioning.

The analyst suggested that this dual alignment has raised questions about loyalty and legitimacy within both parties, creating friction that could impact future electoral strategies.

Jega further stressed that while Wike’s approach may currently serve presidential interests, it cannot disregard the constitutional authority of governors. Local party leaders, he said, are empowered to assert themselves and protect their jurisdictions.

“The president may be happy with Wike’s strategy,” Jega acknowledged, noting the possible approval of such maneuvers at the federal level, given their perceived contribution to national objectives.

However, he quickly added that this does not negate the rising influence of governors who are asserting their authority within their states. Their collective weight, Jega argued, cannot be ignored in national party calculations.

“Thirty governors can’t all be ignored,” he remarked, pointing to the scale of political influence and the potential challenges Wike faces in navigating a landscape where gubernatorial power is both constitutionally recognized and strategically important.

Jega noted that the balance between federal interests and state-level authority is increasingly critical, suggesting that Wike’s current strategy may be effective in the short term but vulnerable to shifts in party dynamics as governors assert themselves more forcefully.

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