Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declined to hold a one-on-one meeting with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, over the crisis rocking the party ahead of the 2023 general election.
A credible source disclosed that Wike said Atiku should engage his “Strategy Team” for peace talks on the terms proposed to the party, particularly the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
Wike’s strategists include Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Samuel Ortom (Benue); ex-Governors Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), and Donald Duke (Cross River); among others.
It would be recalled that the supporters of Wike called for the immediate resignation of Ayu as a condition to end the crisis rocking the PDP.
They stressed that Atiku must honour his promise that once the party’s presidential standard-bearer emerges from the North, a Southerner will be the national chairman.
It was gathered that Atiku insisted that Ayu should remain in office to lead his campaign for the 2023 presidential election after which he will quit.
However, a source disclosed that Governor Wike, who recently returned from Turkey, ruled out the possibility of a one-on-one meeting with Atiku, citing lack of faith in any personal agreement with the PDP presidential candidate.
“There is no likelihood of Wike having one-on-one private discussion with Atiku. Shortly after the primary, the governor had a side meeting with Atiku in Abuja and nothing was adhered to.
“He was shocked that Atiku has not told Nigerians what transpired between him and Wike after the primary and how he arrived at Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as a running mate.
“Since there was no full disclosure, Wike has directed that fresh talks with Atiku should be with his strategy team members, who will come up with an advisory for him,” The Nation quoted the source as saying.
On what transpired between Atiku and Wike, the source stated: “You can also crosscheck what I will tell you from the camp of the ex-VP. Following the euphoria of winning the primary, Atiku visited Wike to seek his support.
“He promised to make him a vice presidential candidate. Wike said he does not want the office, but that Atiku should consider former Governor Donald Duke. Atiku and his supporters prevailed on Wike to be his running mate.
READ ALSO: Wike’s supporters demand Ayu’s resignation as condition to back Atiku
“There was much pressure on Wike to agree to the offer. A 17-man committee was also set up by the leadership of the party and 14 of the 17 members recommended Wike as Atiku’s running mate.
“The party leadership later raised a kangaroo committee (with Ayu as a member), which claimed that the party can only recommend three candidates to Atiku to pick. And it was obvious to Wike and his team that there was a predetermined candidate.
“You can see the lines of insincerity and lack of faith to talks. This explains why Wike shut his doors against Atiku,” the source disclosed.
The Star had reported that the crisis rocking the main opposition party ahead of the 2023 general election got heightened after Atiku named Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.
Many had expected Wike, who came second in the party’s presidential primaries, to be chosen as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
It would be recalled that Atiku polled 371 to defeat Wike, who garnered 237 votes.
The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) later nominated three names that included Okowa, Wike, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, to Atiku for the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
Atiku, however, selected Governor Okowa as his running mate for the 2023 general election.
The PDP presidential candidate subsequently vowed to unite all the aggrieved members of the party.
To resolve the crisis, party bigwigs have since been lobbying Wike to embrace reconciliation and support Atiku.
To avert losing the swing states like Rivers and Kano, it was gathered that former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is leading some party leaders to lobby Wike to support the party’s presidential candidate.
Sources disclosed that PDP leaders are worried that the party may not be able to win the 2023 poll if it loses the swing states.
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