Some questions the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike reportedly asked the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, have surfaced.
iDeemlawful understands that the two party chieftains have been at loggerheads since the unveiling of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as Atiku’s running mate in the 2023 elections.
In a bid to resolve the crisis, Atiku and Wike met yesterday in Abuja at the instance of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Senator Walid Jibrin.Despite all efforts, a source told Daily Post that the meeting did not lead to a truce.
the meeting hosted at the residence of former Information and Culture Minister Prof. Jerry Gana, Atiku reportedly boasted that PDP can win next year’s election without many votes from Rivers State.
The presidential hopeful reportedly said there was no cause for alarm if Wike did not want to support him in the coming elections.
Atiku was said to have mentioned also that PDP ran into crisis because Wike monetised the presidential primary.
On the other hand, Wike, who was privy to what transpired at the BOT meeting reportedly lamented about Atiku’s recent comment about him.
“Wike joined issues with Atiku over his recent comments or pronouncements at the second meeting,” the source who pleaded anonymity said.
Speaking further, the source mentioned that Wike threw out some questions to Atiku at the meeting, many of which the Adamawa State-born politician reportedly said ‘NO’ to.
Wike, according to the source, asked Atiku the following questions: ”Did I tell you I want to be the next Minister of Petroleum Resources?”Have I not been a minister before?
”Do you control Lagos and Kano, like President Muhammadu Buhari, if you don’t need Rivers?”Have I asked for anything to support you?”
Throughout the meeting, Wike was busy with posers to clear some impressions from Atiku’s camp in public space. Obviously, he was uncomfortable with some comments attributed to Atiku and some of his strategists.
“But the presidential candidate of the PDP was calm in managing the situation.”
It was gathered that Atiku and Wike ‘played’ a hide and seek game over a session with the BoT. However, BoT members have consistently pleaded with Atiku to reconcile with the Rivers governor.
Despite receiving invitation letters from the board, Wike nor Atiku showed interest in a face-to-face meeting before yesterday.
