By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Senator representing Edo North and former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has extended gratitude to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for unwittingly creating a situation that made it possible for the current Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, a stalwart of the PDP to serve in the All Progressives Congress(APC) led government.
The former Edo State governor described Wike as a valuable asset borrowed from the PDP while praising the FCT Minister for his contributions to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North in the Senate, spoke at a New Year luncheon hosted by Wike in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The legislator likened the move to a football club giving away its star player.to a rival, adding that the APC got the minister without a transfer fee.
Oshiomhole said, “Thank you to PDP for giving us Nyesom Wike to help us fix Abuja. 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].
“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.
Wike, a PDP stalwart, backed Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election after a fallout with his party.