"Obono-Obla: VP Shettima's Warning to Wike on Rivers Party Leadership Is Unnecessary"

Former presidential aide on prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has stated that there is no need for Vice President Kashim Shettima to caution Minister of Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nyesom Wike, regarding the leadership of the APC in Rivers State, as Wike is not a member of the ruling APC.

While addressing the media during an event in his community, Wike asserted that he is the leader of both the APC and PDP in the state, adding that he will determine who becomes the Governor in the upcoming general elections.

During his visit to Enugu State yesterday, the Vice President conveyed a strong message to Wike in response to his media remarks about cautioning APC leaders to avoid involvement in the Rivers State APC leadership.

The Vice President was clear in his message to Wike, stating that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State, not Wike.

Shettima emphasized that he serves as the Vice President of Nigeria and is second-in-command both nationally and within the APC; however, in his home state of Borno, the party leader is the sitting governor, Professor Babagana Zulum.

In an interview with DAILY POST, Obono-Obla, a lawyer, mentioned that there is no contention regarding leadership because, according to the party's arrangements, the governor of a state governed by the party is automatically the leader of the party.

“That being said, if the governors assume such a role by convention within the party, then the Vice President is not entirely incorrect in making such a statement. However, addressing it to Minister Nyesom Wike may not be appropriate since he is not a member of the APC in Rivers State.”

Obono-Obla noted that under the APC Constitution, there is no explicit provision that designates governors elected under the APC as the leaders of the party in their respective states, but conventionally and implicitly, they assume such roles.

He pointed out that this practice is controversial because some argue that governors take advantage of the lack of a clearly defined role and responsibilities to claim absolute power, which they often use to foster cronyism and godfatherism.

The party stalwart called for clarity within the APC Constitution to prevent the misuse of convention and to ensure that leadership roles are clearly defined.

He believes that this would help curb tendencies toward cronyism and godfatherism.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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