Former Vice President, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, other governors on Thursday turned London to playground seeking for the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike’s backing in the forthcoming elections.
While details of the meeting have not been made public, there are indications that it is about next year’s general elections.
Others who attended the meeting 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.
Nigerian Newssphere has learned the rush to UK by Nigerian Politicians is not unconnected to the bid to woo Wike and 2023 presidential election political calculation.
Recall that earlier in the week, Wike and two other PDP governors of Oyo and Benue States held a meeting with the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Elders of the PDP had expressed concerns that the activities of Wike and the two governors Makinde and Ortom, may have drastic effects on the forthcoming presidential elections.
Meanwhile, owing to the rift between Governor Wike and PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, there is a growing apprehension in the PDP that the crisis may also negatively impact the chances of the party in 2023.
The crisis escalated following Atiku’s choice of Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate. This, Nigerian NewsDirect learnt, was in contrast with the preference of most of the PDP’s national working committee (NWC) members as the candidate for the position.
However, the PDP flag bearer had set plans in motion to head for the United Kingdom and discuss with Wike yesterday in a bid to resolve the issues between the two.
PDP dismisses rumours, Wike working for Atiku- Paul Ibe
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has asked party stakeholders and his supporters to desist from statements that may compromise the PDP’s unity.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson Paul Ibe on Thursday, Atiku said all leaders of the party, including Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, are united in working for the victory of the PDP in the upcoming elections.
Atiku’s comment comes amid a rift between himself and Wike who he defeated in the PDP presidential primaries earlier this year.
“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 said.
“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 of 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 appeal 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 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.”