Amid the reported crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), there are indications that the dead silence of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state is beginning to raise concerns and questions among members of the rank and file of the opposition party ahead of the 2023 General elections.
The New Diplomat had reported that Wike failed twice within a month in his bid to take or make the PDP’s presidential ticket.
He was defeated in the primary by Atiku Abubakar and then overlooked by the same man in the choice of running mate.
Following the development, Wike, who his known for his flamboyant nature has been suspiciously silent recently.
Amid the silence, the Rivers governor has held several closed-door meetings with notable opposition members.
The New Diplomat had reported that Wike hosted Ebonyi Governor David Umahi, a man he repeatedly traded insults with after the latter’s defection from the PDP to the APC.
Then he played host to Peter Obi, whose defection and subsequent nomination as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party have been predicted to bring misery to the PDP, especially in the South-east, one of the party’s fortresses.
Few days after, Wike received the presidential candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso in Port Harcourt.
While the agenda of the meeting remains top secret, it was reported that the NNPP candidate is also looking for a more suitable running mate.
Also, The New Diplomat gathered that in recent times, Wike has been wearing a yoruba cap at public functions.
Many commentators had suggested that the dressing might mean things to come, with some hinting that the Governor might be eyeing a move to the All Progressives Congress to support its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who hails from the South west Region of the country.
A member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), who spoke with the members of the press, said Wike’s body language has been causing headaches for the party.
“Wike has been wearing a particular ethnic cap since the day we submitted our Presidential candidate and his running mate to the INEC.
“We are afraid of his deafening silence. We’d lick his shoes, prostrate for him not to leave the PDP. Because if he leaves, we’re doomed completely ”
The New Diplomat had also reported that the Atiku, in a move to save the party from the looming storm as predicted by political pundits, set up a reconciliatory committee.
The committee was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that all aggrieved members of the party are brought back into the fold in order to make the party strong in its quest to take power in 2023.
