Wike Loses Grip As Foot Soldiers Turncoat

The erstwhile fortress of the Nyesom Wike political empire has suffered an earthquake and from unexpected quarters. His most formidable political platform, the Grassroots Democratic Initiative has received a crack. Leaders of the GDI in seven local governments on Sunday March 10, paid a visit to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, where they pledged their support for his administration.
They said they were joining the Rivers people behind the governor, thus throwing aside ex-governor Nyesom Wike who before now, had a strong grip on them. The GDI is the major base of Wike’s political structure in Rivers State but from all indications, it is like the lion of Nigerian politics’ camp is in uneasy state.
The GDI leaders have even warned that actions will be taken should the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) persist in interfering with politics in the state.
The GDI leaders spoke in Port Harcourt on Monday after a meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who welcomed the former members of GDI and the Coordinators Forum at the Government House.
They pledged their dedication and allegiance to the Rivers State Government and the Simplified Movement.
The coordinators were those of Obio/Akpor (Wike’s local government area), Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt City, Opobo/Nkoro, Gokana, Bonny, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, Asari-Toru, and Akuku-Toru local government areas.
GDI is the political organisation of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who is having a political clash with Governor Fubara, his successor and former political godson.
The former Coordinator in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Prince Collins Onunwo, who led a delegation of former members of GDI All Coordinators’ Forum on a solidarity visit to Fubara in Government House, Port Harcourt, on March 10, said they decided to resign their leadership positions in GDI in order to join the Simplified Movement in the interest of Rivers people.
Onunwo, who was a former chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, told newsmen after a meeting, that the key mission of GDI was to protect, defend and promote the interest of Rivers State and its people, adding that having freely given their votes and mandate to Governor Fubara, and affirmed by the Supreme Court, GDI has no other option than to support the Governor to succeed.
He vowed the determination and dedication of the former GDI coordinators to the success of the policies and programmes of the present administration.
According to him, “We want the public, Rivers people and all Nigerians to know that GDI is the group founded by the former governor and now Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike. That group brought him to power in 2015, and supported his ambition in 2019. That group is his strength.
“But today, we and our supporters have decided we are no longer members of GDI. The reason is simple: we want to be with Rivers people. Rivers interest is paramount. In 2012, GDI interest was to protect, defend and promote our brother-in-law, President Goodluck Jonathan, because of our mother and sister, Dame Patience Jonathan; and it yielded good dividends to the state.
“Through that struggle, our brother, Chief Nyesom Wike, became governor in 2015; and in 2019, when Abuja politicians said he will not return for second tenure, we all rallied round him and defended our votes, and he served for eight years.