Confusion As Wike Meets Atiku After Meeting Obasanjo, Peter Obi, Others In London While Romancing APC
There are indications that the former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has met former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in London on Thursday.
While details of the meeting have not been made public, reports say it is about next year’s general elections.
Others who attended the meeting with Chief Obasanjo were Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and a former Cross River Governor, Donald Duke.
Thursday’s meeting followed a similar one Wike held with the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, in France on Monday.
Multiple reports showed that the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde; Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, and Ikpeazu Okezie of Abia State attended the meeting.
They, Wike’s camp, reportedly left the country at the weekend and there are indications that it was about the 2023 elections.
“We can confirm to you authoritatively that Wike and his team met with Tinubu in London to discuss a strategic alliance ahead of the 2023 presidential election,” the Director-General of the Asiwaju Project Beyond, a political support group for Tinubu, Realwan Okpanachi said.
“Both leaders appreciate the need to work together to ensure that Tinubu becomes the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023”, Tinubu camp said.
Atiku And Wike Meet In London
Days after the meeting with the APC flagbearer, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, flew to the UK to mend his frosty relationship with Wike.
Atiku’s meeting with Wike also took place in London on Thursday.
Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Abia State’s Okezie Ikpeazu were pictured together with Atiku and Wike during 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 in a cold war over the outcome of the PDP presidential primary which Atiku was declared winner in May, 2022.
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 Atiku to pick as his running mate but Atiku opted for the Delta State Governor, Senator 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”, Atiku said.
Since then, the rift between the duo has widened. Efforts to reconcile them have not yielded fruits.
Opposition parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) are equally making overtures to Wike, triggering further apprehension in the PDP.
The latest development has no doubt throne the PDP and the opposition parties seeking Wike’s support into a sort of confusion. More so, Atiku’s camp is yet to make any official statement about the meeting with Wike at press time.
