Speculations about Governor Nyesom Wike’s defection to the APC are at an all time high as three prominent Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have Friday stormed Port Harcourt, Rivers State to meet with Governor Nyesom Wike for a political meeting behind closed-doors.
The governors who had visited hin include Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State. The three governors were accompanied in the visit by former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.
Read Also: 2023: Wike Still Open For Talks With PDP – Legal Adviser
The visit might not be unconnected with the 2023 general elections, especially the presidency.
The visit fueled speculations that Wike may be on his way to the All Progressives Congress or may tactically support the presidential bid of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The governors met behind closed doors at Wike’s private residence in Port Harcourt.
Wike who lost out in the race to become the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 general election has been receiving visits from politicians across political parties.
He is currently at loggerhead with his party, the People’s Democratic Party for snubbing him for Ifeanyi Okowa as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar.
There were rumours recently that Wike who was on vacation in Turkey flew to France where he had a meeting with Tinubu. This was later debunked by the Tinubu’s camp.
Today’s visit may lend credence to the assertion that Wike actually met with Tinubu.
The Chairman of the PDP’s Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin, had also revealed that the party has set up a nine-member committee to beg the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesome Wike not to leave the party.
Sequel to his victory at the PDP convention last month, where he beat Wike and other contenders to the presidential ticket, Atiku had nominated Okowa as his running mate, despite the recommendation of Wike by a 17-man committee set up by the party.
In the last week, certain chieftains of the party, including the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, ex-Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, and others, had criticised the choice of Okowa as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
There were reports on Friday that Wike snubbed a former Minister of Police Affairs and ally of Atiku, Adamu Waziri, who attempted to initiate a peace talk with him in Turkey.
The party, also on Sunday, raised another panel headed by Atiku, to pacify the aggrieved Governor and prevail on him not to leave the party.