Atiku, Wike Finally Meet In London

August 25, (THEWILL) – Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, met with Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, in London, the United Kingdom.

Others in the meeting included Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, and other close allies of Governor Wike.

Although details of the meeting remain sketchy, THEWILL earlier reported that Atiku Abubakar departed Nigeria on Tuesday, to meet Wike, for reconciliation talks.

The direct meeting between the former vice-president and Wike, followed collapsed reconciliation talks through committees set up to interphase between the two leaders.

Recall that a three-member delegation from Atiku, had on Friday, met with that of Wike in Port Harcourt.

Atiku had constituted the delegation after a 14-member committee he earlier set up to interface with Wike’s team failed to meet.

The PDP has been in turmoil since it held its presidential primary election on 28th May, 2022. While Atiku had emerged the presidential flag bearer of the party, his choice of a running mate, sparked mistrust among the PDP party members.

The emergence of Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, as Vice-Presidential Candidate of the PDP, had further polarised the party into two major camps – the aggrieved members, led by Wike and the other, perceived supporters of the former Vice President.

Wike is also aggrieved that he was also treated with disrespect by Atiku and his camp by their media statements.

While he accused Atiku of lying against him that he made overtures through phone calls and text messages, Wike insisted that there was no real move for any dialogue.

However, part of the major demands by the Wike-led camp, is the restructuring of the leadership of the party.

By this, the National chairman of the party, Iyochia Ayu has been asked by the Wike’s camp to resign his position to pave way for a southern national chairman, since Atiku, a northerner, has emerged the presidential candidate of the party.