"ARE WE RUNNING A RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT?", H.E WIKE FROWNS AGAINST MUSLIM-MUSLIM NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP

Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State, expressed his disapproval of proposing a Muslim Senate President and a Muslim Speaker of the House of Representatives, stating that only those who do not have Nigeria's best interests at heart would suggest such a move.

During a media chat with journalists at his home in Port Harcourt, Wike emphasized that although President Bola Tinubu successfully won the election despite criticism of his Muslim-Muslim ticket, it would be a mistake to repeat such a decision when it comes to the leadership of the National Assembly.

Wike argued that such a move would send the wrong signal and could potentially undermine President Tinubu's administration. He highlighted the accusations that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was part of an agenda to Islamize Nigeria and emphasized the need to ensure a balanced leadership that cuts across religious lines.

"If you want this country to be balanced, give hope here, give hope there, and let it not look like we are running a religious government," Wike asserted.

He further rejected the notion that the leadership positions of the three arms of government cannot come from the south, citing the example of former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.

Wike also criticized Aminu Tambuwal, the immediate past Governor of Sokoto State, for allegedly manipulating the system to ensure a northern governor emerged as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors' Forum, a position that Wike believed should have gone to the south.

The former governor expressed his disappointment with the manipulation of the system and stressed the importance of standing by the truth.

"For Christ's sake, what is wrong with people standing by the truth?" Wike questioned.