Toyyibat Qasim
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has claimed responsibility for the departure of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, from the Peoples Democratic Party, saying the governor could not withstand his political influence despite his financial resources.
Wike made the claim on Tuesday during a media parley, while responding to Lawal’s reported reference to him as “that guy.”
The minister alleged that Lawal, despite having substantial financial resources, was unable to match his political strength within the PDP, eventually leaving the opposition party.
“Ask the governor of Zamfara State. When he was in PDP, I chased him away. He had money. They couldn’t withstand me,” Wike said.
He further alleged that Lawal had access to additional funds which, according to him, he had heard were being kept on behalf of another person.
“He had money plus other money I heard he was keeping for somebody. Ask him, he ran away from PDP,” the minister added.
Wike also described Lawal’s reported defection to the All Progressives Congress as ironic, recalling that the governor had previously accused him of undermining the PDP for the benefit of the ruling party.
“And I did him a favour. He now came to APC. Meanwhile, this was one of the governors who said I was killing the PDP for APC. The same person now ran to APC,” he said.
The exchange underscores the lingering political tensions within the PDP and the disagreements among its leading figures over the party’s internal crisis and future direction.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, has remained at the centre of the PDP’s internal disputes, with his political position and relationship with members of the party attracting considerable attention.
However, the allegations about Lawal’s departure and the circumstances surrounding his political move were claims made by Wike during the media parley. The account provided did not include a response from the Zamfara governor.
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