Dakuku Peterside distance self from Wike, declares support for Amaechi

Former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dakuku Peterside, has publicly declared that he does not align with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Instead, Peterside reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to Wike’s predecessor and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the former APC governorship aspirant made it clear that his political allegiance remains with Amaechi, under whom he previously served as Commissioner for Works in Rivers State.

“I am a friend of Rotimi Amaechi; I am not on the side of Nyesom Wike,” Peterside stated firmly.

He further expressed his willingness to offer advice to the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to ensure the state progresses under his administration.

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“When Wike was governor, I consistently wrote open letters offering him advice. I’ve always been open with my views. If Governor Fubara seeks my counsel, I’m more than willing to provide it, just as I’ve done for other governors,” he said.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi, has weighed in on the party’s internal crisis, asserting that Nyesom Wike remains a crucial figure in the PDP despite his current ministerial role in President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led administration.

Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Sunday, Showunmi lamented the ongoing turmoil within the PDP, arguing that Wike’s absence from active party affairs has contributed to the prolonged crisis. He described the former Rivers governor as an indispensable player whose involvement could have led to a resolution of the party’s conflicts.

“If Wike were still actively engaged in the PDP, the crisis would have been resolved. His influence and political weight within the party cannot be ignored,” Showunmi asserted.

The PDP has faced internal strife since the 2023 general elections, with various factions struggling for dominance. Wike, once a prominent PDP leader, has been at the center of controversy due to his defection to the APC-led government, where he now serves as the FCT Minister. His move has deepened divisions within the opposition party, as many leaders continue to debate the direction of the PDP moving forward.

Rivers State remains a focal point of political tension, with a lingering rift between Governor Fubara and Wike, who played a significant role in Fubara’s election. Speculations abound that Wike, despite his ministerial position, still exerts considerable influence over the state’s political affairs.

As political dynamics continue to shift, Peterside’s declaration of loyalty to Amaechi further solidifies the ongoing power struggle within Rivers politics. With tensions high in both the PDP and APC camps, the coming months may see further realignments as stakeholders position themselves for future elections and political dominance.