The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, has predicted that Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, will challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Nwanyanwu, also the national chairman of ZLP, made these remarks in Abuja over the weekend while discussing various national issues.

The Imo-born renowned politician advised Tinubu to handle the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State cautiously to safeguard Nigerian democracy, emphasising that Wike’s actions indicate his intention to contest the presidency in 2027.

“He should not put fire in Rivers that will affect your office as President, if the problem is about 2027 the person you should do business with is ( Governor Siminalayi) Fubara. He is the man on seat.

“If you don’t know, Wike will contest against you, President Tinubu in 2027. Take it to the bank, all that he is doing, forget about all these razzmatazz in Abuja, yes he has done well , he will run against you, he will run for president,” he said.

Regarding the Rivers House of Assembly crisis, Nwanyanwu cited constitutional provisions stating that lawmakers who defect from their party automatically forfeit their seats.

He criticized any judicial interference in what he considers a straightforward constitutional matter.

” Section 109, 1G, of the constitution made it very clear, it doesn’t need a court process, that when you are elected into a state assembly under a political party, if you leave that political party to another political party you shall lose your seat, it is automatic,” he opined.

While saying that the 27 lawmakers swore an affidavit that they have defected to APC, Nwanyanwu said the Federal Government should not allow itself to be manipulated over the issue.

“We don’t want to give an impression that the government in Abuja, the federal government and the President is giving tacit approval to what Wike is doing as a minister. I have said it severally, the president has no business Wike, he has given him a job,” he said.

The ZLP chairman also knocked the former Rivers governor for reportedly vowing to unseat FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe, in the 2027 election.

He said only the FCT voters would decide who will represent them in the Senate and not a single self-acclaimed political god.

On the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, Nwanyanwu advised Tinubu to release the IPOB leader or in alternative use him for barbecue at Eagle Square.

” So, we are calling on the President to release him, but If you don’t want to release him, bring him to Eagle Square let us use him for barbecue, let his enemies come and eat from it so we can close his chapter. There is no reason why Nnamdi Kanu should still be in prison, ” he said.

Nwanyanwu, who accused the then President Muhammadu Buhari of ancient hatred in the incarceration of Kanu, said Ohanaeze Ndigbo leaders, South-East governors, and others have all called for the IPOB leader released.

“It has come to the point that we have to call on President Tinubu to use his political sagacity and dexterity to effect the release of Nnamdi Kanu….

” We have to interrogate why Nnamdi Kanu is still in detention, you are aware of the activities of terrorists in this country, you are aware of persons who have been negotiating with terrorists without the brief of government and see these terrorists all the time.

“You are aware of those who found themselves in the same agitation, Nnamdi Kanu was involved in, but today everybody is free, working freely on the streets, Nnamdi Kanu is still in detention,” he said.

On the demand by labour unions for increase in minimum wage, Nwanyanwu urged the President to act swiftly on the issue, saying it was not too much to pay N100,000.

While calling on the unions to also explore other avenues to improve welfare of their members, Nwanyanwu said government can also roll out large numbers of buses to be managed by the unions as obtainable during the military administration of then General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, even as he suggested effective housing scheme for workers.

While lamenting the huge cost of governance in the country, Nwanyanwu called on Tinubu to sign Executive Order that will drastically reduce political office holders’ earnings.

“Tinubu should sign an Executive Order to slash money being by political office holders by 50 to 80percent….,” he said, adding that it was not normal for Nigerians to still be paying for cars and accommodations of National Assembly members.