Wike, Fayose absent as Atiku meets PDP ex-presidential hopefuls in Abuja

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, on Wednesday, met with former presidential hopefuls of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

The meeting was held at Abubakar’s residence in Asokoro, federal capital territory (FCT). 

Those who attended the meeting included Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine; Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, former managing director of the now-defunct FSB International Bank; Tariela Oliver, the only female aspirant; and Charles Ugwu.

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, and Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti, were among those absent from the meeting. 

Abubakar won the party’s presidential primary held in May — he polled 371 votes to defeat Wike, his closest challenger, who secured 237 votes.

Bukola Saraki, former senate president; Emmanuel Udom, Akwa Ibom governor; and Bala Mohammed, Bauchi governor, were also among those who contested the party’s ticket.

The meeting comes amid the crisis rocking the leading opposition party after Abubakar picked Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, as his running mate for the 2023 elections — overlooking Wike, who was reportedly recommended by a panel comprising national working committee (NWC) members and governors.

The division in the party worsened after Abubakar granted an interview to ARISE TV, during which he explained his rationale for not choosing Wike.

Days after the interview, Wike fired back, accusing the party’s presidential candidate of telling “many lies”.

Meanwhile, TheCable had reported how Wike, who travelled out of the country weeks ago with his allies, met with Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in France.

The Rivers governor also met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP); and the PDP presidential candidate in London recently.

After his return to the country, Wike said the meetings with the presidential candidates were “in the interest of Nigeria”.