Oshiomhole to PDP: Thanks for giving us your best player, Wike, to fix Abuja

Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, has thanked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for allowing Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), to serve in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

Oshiomhole spoke on Friday at a New Year luncheon hosted by Wike in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.

Wike, a PDP stalwart, backed Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election after a fallout with his party.

Oshiomhole compared Wike’s appointment to a football club losing its “best player” to a rival, adding that the APC got the minister without a transfer fee.

“Thank you to PDP for giving us Nyesom Wike to help us fix Abuja,” he said.

“I don’t belong to any club; I only belong to Bendel Insurance, but I listen to those who say they are Manchester United fans and the likes. When you are giving your best player to another club, you pay heavily.

“Thank you for helping us in APC. PDP Rivers led you to us without saying we should pay a transfer fee. We may not be happy to return you; we would even create a toll gate to prevent that.

“Tonight, we are celebrating a Nigerian who is adding value to the FCT, who is showing there has to be the rule of law and that we must respect certain environmental laws.”

The senator said Wike’s role as FCT minister would require “stepping on toes” to enforce changes.

“So, thank you for what you are doing in Nigeria; thank you for what you are doing in Abuja,” Oshiomhole added.