Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the last elections, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday, held a meeting with some governors elected on the platform of the party as well as other stakeholders of the party.
Africa Today News, New York gathered that the meeting was attended by the PDP vice presidential candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum; Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed; Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri and Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.
Also in attendance were the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki; Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke; Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang; former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, amongst others.
It was further gathered that the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, in Atiku’s residence, in Abuja is not unconnected to recent developments in the party, especially the nomination of the former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, as a minister by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government.
There has been tension between Wike, Atiku, and the PDP leadership since Atiku and Okowa were nominated as the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2023 election.
The face-off between the former governor and Atiku polarised the opposition party, with Wike, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, former governors of Benue, Enugu, Abia and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, alongside their supporters, boycotting the PDP presidential campaign and other activities of the party.
In the aftermath of the 2023 polls, the G-5 governors have continued to hobnob with President Bola Tinubu.
Nevertheless, the PDP leadership, Sunday Sun gathered, had earlier resolved to keep a blind eye on the romance between the G-5 members and Tinubu, pending the outcome of the party’s case at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
Recall that Damagum has reportedly told a national newspaper that the PDP leaders will take a decision on Wike tomorrow.