June 24, (THEWILL) – The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Friday, paid a visit to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt.
Also present at the meeting was former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.
Although the purpose of the meeting has not been disclosed, it may not be unconnected with the 2023 general elections.
Kwankwaso, who defected from the PDP a few months to the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential primary in May, emerged the sole presidential candidate of NNPP.
He has been locked in a prolonged negotiation with Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, exploring the possibility of a merger.
While Kwankwaso had publicly stated he would like Obi to join the NNPP and be his running mate, Obi had neither rejected the idea nor accepted.
But the talks are believed to have been bogged down, especially by the knotty issue of who, between the two presidential candidates, would step down to become the running mate of the other.
Kwankwaso’s meeting with Wike may, however, be an indication that the former Kano State governor is looking for alternatives.
THEWILL gathered that the inability of Kwankwaso/Obi alliance has prompted Kwankwaso’s courting of Wike.
Wike has remained quiet about the activities of the PDP since he was defeated at the party’s presidential primary.
Although no actual details were provided by any of the sides, there are reports that the meeting may be to lure Wike to be his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
The politicians have been in close contact despite their political affiliations. Kwankwaso’s political allies are reckoned to be in control of the PDP in Kano despite his defection.
Those allies and supporters were reported to have voted for Wike in the PDP’s presidential primary.
Although Wike has vowed not to defect from the PDP, the party he has been funding heavily since 2015, it is believed he is considering a new political association, as he serves out his second term as governor.
The meeting between Wike and Kwankwaso on Friday, comes after the visit of Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Wike, followed by Obi’s visit.
Wike also received Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda and other PDP politicians on Thursday, in Port Harcourt
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