2023: Kwankwaso Reportedly Set to Meet Wike as His Presidential Ambition Takes New Dimension

• The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, will be meeting today, Friday, June 24
• The meeting is reported to be the continuation of Kwankwaso's search for a credible running mate ahead of the 2023 general elections
• Kwankwaso had earlier been in talks with the Labour Party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, but the talk seemed to be stalked on who will step down for the other

Former Kano state governor and presidential aspirant of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, is scheduled to meet Nyesom Wike of Rivers state ahead of the 2023 elections.

Premium Times revealed that the meeting continued Kwankwaso's search for a running mate for the 2023 elections.

Kwankwaso had been in talks with Peter Obi of the Labour Party about the possibility of the two parties allying ahead of next year's elections.

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2023: Power will go to South East after Kwankwaso, says former lawmaker Jibrin

The talk is believed to be stalked with the issue of who will step down to be the running mate of the other in the elections.

However, the meeting between Kwankwaso and Wike is an indication that the former senator is looking for alternatives.

The meeting was confirmed by Kwankwaso and Wike's aide, stating that the two politicians were scheduled to meet today, Friday, June 24, in Port Harcourt.

The aides also disclosed that the discussion between the two sides was likely to focus on the 2023 presidential elections.

Kwankwaso's associates are still in control of PDP in Kano

Kwankwaso's associates are in control of PDP's leadership in Kano state despite his defection with many of his supporters from the party.

However, it is unclear if Wike would be persuaded to dump the PDP and be Kwankwaso's running mate in the NNPP.

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2023: Kwankwaso opens up on forming alliance with PDP, Atiku

Although the period for the nomination of candidates has closed, a presidential or governorship candidate can substitute their running mate who withdraws before July 15.

But Wike's people have said they have no intention of moving out of the PDP, despite his recent disappointment over the choice of the party's vice-presidential candidate.

They said Wike would work for the victory of the party's candidates in the state but would not commit his resources and energy to other causes which other persons stand to reap.

After beating Wike to the PDP presidential ticket last month, former vice president Atiku Abubakar had considered the Rivers governor for nomination as his running mate but eventually picked Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Wike has not congratulated Okowa or spoken in public on the choice. However, he has since met with political leaders from other parties, including Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr Obi of the LP.

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Why Kwankwaso cannot be Peter Obi's vice, Jibrin makes crucial point

Peter Obi Must Agree to Be Kwankwaso's Deputy, Says NNPP Spokesman

Legit.ng reports that there are calls for some opposition parties to unite ahead of the 2023 general elections may not work after all.

The NNPP says the only condition acceptable is for Peter Obi to step down for Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Kwankwaso had recently admitted that his party is in talks with Obi's political platform - Labour Party.

NNPP Announces Kwankwaso's Running Mate Amid Coalition Talk with Peter Obi's Labour Party

Ahead of the 2023 elections, NNPP has reportedly announced Ladipo Johnson as its vice-presidential candidate.

The Lagos-born politician was named Kwankwaso's running mate amid the alliance talks with Peter Obi's Labour Party.

Meanwhile, the national publicity secretary of the NNPP, Agbo Major, said negotiations on the alliance between the two parties are going on smoothly.

Source: Legit.ng