Atiku heads to Europe on ‘business trip’

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is expected to travel to Europe on Friday (today).

Paul Ibe, his media adviser, said the former vice-president will travel alongside Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta state.

Ibe said the trip is a “continuation of an earlier business trip of three weeks ago”.

“He will be travelling immediately after his meeting on Friday in Lagos, with the leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) alongside the PDP vice presidential candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta,” the statement reads. 

“Today’s trip is in continuation of an earlier business trip of three weeks ago.

“At the conclusion of his European trip, the former Vice President will also use the opportunity to visit his family in Dubai.

“His trip is for business and family purposes and has nothing to do with medicals as being insinuated in some quarters.”

The development comes about three weeks after Abubakar met with Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, in London. 

The meeting which took place at the Carlton Hotel in Park Lane, London, also had Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia — who are Wike’s allies — in attendance.

The meeting was convened by Abubakar to resolve the crisis in the party.

Meanwhile, Iyorchia Ayu, national chairman of the PDP, had on Wednesday travelled to Europe.

The national chairman is expected back in the country by the end of the month. 

It is speculated that Abubakar will meet with Ayu in Europe amid calls for the latter’s resignation.