By our reporter| Former vice president and presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar on Thursday met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in London.
The meeting took place hours after reports emerged of the meeting between former president Olusegun Obasanjo, the Labour party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Wike.
Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia are some of Wike’s allies that attended the meeting.
Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, who heads Abubakar’s delegation for peace talks with Wike’s team, was also in the meeting.
As of the time of this report, details of the meeting have not been officially disclosed but it is believed to be about the 2023 elections.
Wike and Atiku have been at loggerheads over the outcome of the PDP presidential primary which the latter won in May.
The Rivers State leader contested the election but lost to the former vice president. Wike had accused the party leaders of not following laid down rules in the election held in Abuja.
In the wake of the election, a committee had recommended Wike, among others, to pick as his running mate. But Atiku chose the Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa, a move that deepened the crisis.
While explaining the rationale behind his choice, Atiku said Okowa is highly experienced, adding that he consulted widely before picking the former lawmaker.
“He personifies not only the seriousness the current moment represents for our country but also the future that our young people yearn for and also deserve,” Atiku said while unveiling Okowa as running mate in June.
“He’s a serving governor who has demonstrated in his state and through his conduct that governance is about service to the people. I know that he will not only add excitement to our energized campaign but will also help to bring focus, discipline, and stability to our government come 2023.”
Since then, the rift between the duo has widened and efforts to reconcile them have not yielded fruits.
Wike on Monday met with the APC presidential flagbearer Bola Tinubu.
-Atiku cautions PDP leaders against divisive comments, says Wike working for the party
Meanwhile, the former vice president has called on party leaders to refrain from making comments that could jeopardise the party’s unity.
Atiku’s comment comes in the wake of the exchange of words between Wike and Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa.
Atiku, in a statement by Paul Ibe, his media aide, said governor Nyesom Wike, and his colleagues are working for the victory of the party in the 2023 elections.
The former vice-president, who said the PDP is united, alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is presenting a “false impression” that there is division in the party.
“It has become imperative to appeal to all party members, leaders, and everyone related to, connected with or associated with the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar to desist from making comments that potentially reduce the optics of PDP’s image as a united political party,” the statement reads.
“This appeal becomes necessary in order to call the attention of party leaders and members to the diversionary antics of the ruling All Progressives Congress which, in manufacturing a false impression of division within the PDP, aims to hoodwink the Nigerian public to overlook the monumental failures of the ruling party.
“Today, Nigerians look up to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to lead the charge in ousting the ruling party. This expectation from the people is the reason why the APC is jittery about their impending fall in next year’s general election. It is also the very reason why the ruling party is manipulating the political process to create a sense of division in the PDP.
“Because they know that there is nothing to campaign with from their records of performance in office, the APC has elected to play the role of the devil’s advocate, regaling in celebration of their imaginary invincibility upon a fraudulent claim that the PDP is divided.
“It is for this reason that appeals to every true member of the PDP and anyone who truly wishes the success of the PDP presidential candidate to not fall for the antics of the APC in making statements that could give credence to the false claim of divisions in the PDP.
“All the leaders of the party, including especially the governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and all governors of the PDP are united in working for the victory of the PDP in next year’s general election across the board.
“What is at stake in the next year’s election is the future of Nigeria and all leaders and members of the PDP are on the same page in the mission to rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of the APC.”
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