Emerging indications suggest that the reported meeting between Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state and the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unsettled the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar and his party.
It was gathered that Atiku jetted out of the country for London, the city where Tinubu and Wike were said to have met amid early contrary claims of their meeting in France.
Reports emerged on Tuesday suggesting that Tinubu and members of his camp, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State met with Wike alongside Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state.
While reports suggested that the meeting held in France, contrary reports emerging claimed that the two political heavyweights met in London.
A source who spoke with the members of the press said the meeting was in continuation of the attempt by the ruling party to cash in on the crisis rocking the PDP over the presidential primary won by Atiku Abubakar, which left Wike aggrieved.
It was gathered that the failure of the reconciliation panel to assuage Wike’s anger had put Atiku’s peace moves on a shaky ground, leaving room for Tinubu to court the governor.
Confirming the meeting between Wike and the APC presidential candidate, a source in Tinubu’s camp said the parley was held in London.
He stated, “Governors Sanwo-Olu and Fayemi were equally part of the delegation. Contrary to what some online media are speculating, the meeting was held in London yesterday (Monday).
“Don’t forget that Sanwo-Olu and Fayemi earlier went with Fayose and Akeredolu to see Wike in Port Harcourt on behalf of our principal. Definitely, something is going on between them. However, I may not be in a position to tell whether there was a sort of MoU or agreement between them.’’
The development was said to have unsettled Atiku as he jetted out to London.
However, it could not be confirmed if Atiku planned to meet with Wike in order to resolve the crisis tearing the opposition party apart.
Speaking on the matter, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, who confirmed his principal travelled to Europe said the travel is strictly “for a business meeting.”
He noted that his principal left the country after he attended the 62nd Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which held in Lagos, on Monday.
He said: “Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar travelled to Europe for a business meeting, after attending the 62nd Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos, on Monday.”
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