Dino Melaye accuses Nyesom Wike of desperation

In a fresh political revelation, Senator Dino Melaye has alleged that former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, made frantic efforts to secure the Vice Presidential slot under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.

In a viral video, Melaye disclosed that Wike called him repeatedly—19 times within two hours—seeking his intervention to persuade PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to announce him as his running mate.

Melaye, who previously served as a senator representing Kogi West, described Wike’s actions as desperate and unbecoming of a political leader.

He accused Wike of relentless lobbying and even claimed that the former governor’s demeanor and decision-making were frequently influenced by alcohol.

“Nyesom Wike is a pretender. He called me 19 times in two hours, begging me to convince Atiku to make him his running mate. He desperately wanted to be Vice President, and now he is pretending as if he never wanted it,” Melaye stated.

Melaye further lambasted Wike, accusing him of hypocrisy. He alleged that despite Wike’s persistent efforts to secure the VP position, the FCT Minister later turned against Atiku and the PDP leadership after failing to achieve his ambition.

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“After all the lobbying, he turned around to fight the same party that brought him to the limelight. That is the height of insincerity,” Melaye said.

The fallout between Wike and key PDP leaders has been well-documented, particularly after the emergence of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as Atiku’s running mate.

Wike was reportedly aggrieved by the decision, leading to a prolonged rift that saw him align with opposing political forces during the elections.

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Despite the ongoing tension, Wike has remained a significant political figure, now holding the position of FCT Minister under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government. His critics, including Melaye, have continued to question his loyalty and political integrity.

Melaye’s revelations have sparked widespread reactions, with political analysts weighing in on the implications.

Some see the allegations as a reflection of Wike’s intense ambition, while others view it as part of the ongoing political rivalry between the two outspoken politicians.

While Wike has yet to respond to these claims, the political drama within the PDP and among its former allies continues to unfold, shaping the dynamics of Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future elections.