MINORITY SENATORS OPPOSE WIKE

The Senators from the minority party are eager for a confrontation with Wike due to their perception of him maneuvering to impose his preferred candidate as the next Senate Minority Leader. The minority political parties in the Senate have noticed attempts by internal and external forces to divide their parties and impose a compliant and compromised leadership upon them. They have made a commitment to work cooperatively with the new Senate leadership and the Executive branch in order to ensure good governance for the Nigerian people. As a result, they advise and caution against supporting any group, whether inside or outside the Senate, that aims to divide and destabilize the minority parties and the Senate as an institution.

When the Senate reconvenes, Senators from the minority parties will meet and, in consultation with their respective political parties, choose their leaders without undue interference from anti-democratic forces. It is important to note that no Senator has been officially endorsed or selected for any minority position yet. The selection process will follow the agreed-upon due process established during the last meeting of the minority parties. Any attempt to impose a one-party dictatorship will be resisted and will ultimately fail. They call upon all members of the minority political parties to unite and defend the democratic institution of the Senate and Nigeria.

The statement was signed by Senators Adamu Aliero, Henry Seriake Dickson, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdul Ningi, and Patrick Abba Moro representing the PDP, Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi representing the LP, Senator Kawu Samaila representing the NNPP, and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah representing the YPP.

Their dissatisfaction with Wike does not stem from his support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who was chosen over Senator AbdulAziz Yari, their preferred candidate for the position.