2023: Wike Reportedly Takes Decision on Whether to Support Atiku’s Presidential Bid or Not
- A new media report claimed that Governor Wike has finally agreed to support Atiku's 2023 presidential bid
- The Rivers state governor and his loyalists were reported to have taken the decision at a closed-door meeting on Sunday, July 31
- The exact position of Governor Wike, however, remains unclear as another media report stated that he and his loyalists gave Atiku conditions to meet before supporting him
FCT, Abuja - A report by Daily Independent states that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has finally agreed to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar.
According to the newspaper, Wike’s resolution followed a closed-door emergency meeting held at the Rivers state governor’s lodge in Abuja on Sunday, July 31.
Source: Twitter
Governor Wike had met with PDP governors and other stakeholders of the party who coordinated his campaign for the presidential ticket behind closed doors at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro in Abuja.
At the meeting, Wike and some chieftains of the party agreed to work for the success of the party’s presidential candidate.
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They all reportedly agreed to remain in the party and work for Atiku’s victory in the forthcoming election.
Those at the meeting include Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, former governor of Cross River state, Donald Duke; former governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam; former Ondo state governor, Olusegun Mimiko and former Bayelsa state governor, Seriake Dickson.
Others are the former governor of Kogi state, Ibrahim Idris; former Plateau state governor, Jonah Jang; former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, and Kano PDP governorship candidate, Mohammed Abacha.
Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda, was also at the meeting with some PDP National Assembly caucus members.
Wike had lost the presidential ticket of the PDP to Atiku. The Rivers state governor was also angry over how Atiku picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate over him.
Wike, other PDP governors reveals condition to back Atiku
Meanwhile, contrary to the report by Daily Independent, Premium Times has a different account of what transpired at the Abuja meeting.
According to the newspaper, about 51 PDP leaders gathered on Sunday, July 31, to resolve the crisis in the largest opposition party in Nigeria.
The group, which is loyal to Wike, insisted that the national chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, must step down from his position and allow another person from the south of Nigeria to take his place.
It was revealed that most of those in attendance supported the Rivers state governor prior to the presidential primary, in which the former vice president Atiku Abubakar won.
Atiku’s interview full of lies, Governor Wike says
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Governor Wike said Atiku told many lies during his recent interview.
“Thereafter he (Atiku) appeared before Arise Television, see the statements he made. So many lies were told," the Rivers state governor was quoted as saying.
He said he had maintained silence for weeks because of his love for the PDP. According to Wike, Atiku also hired some PDP chieftains to spread falsehood against his person.
Source: Legit.ng
