PDP leaders meet in Abuja over Wike

Leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party met in Abuja on Saturday to deliberate on a wide range of issues, particularly the inclusion of former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, on the ministerial list transmitted to the Senate last week by President Bola Tinubu.

The closed door meeting which took place at the Maitama residence of former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi, attracted prominent party members, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, among others.

Atiku had taken to his official Twitter handle atiku on Saturday evening to disclose the event, saying, “Earlier today, I joined other leaders and stakeholders of our great party, the PDP at a meeting in Abuja. The meeting was ripe with productive discourse and collaborative energy.”

Although, Special Adviser to Atiku on Public Communication, Mr Phrank Shaibu, played down the importance of the meeting, saying, “It was not about what people are thinking. Oga (Atiku) in his usual manner, gathered party leaders to thank them for their support during the presidential election,” a party source added that the fate of Wike may be determined on Monday at the National Working Committee meeting billed to hold at the national secretariat of the PDP.

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He said, “The NWC meeting will take place on Monday. As soon as Wike’s name was confirmed on the ministerial list, party leaders at various levels have been discussing the issue. You know that there have been speculations about this for quite a while now. This was mentioned at the meeting too.

“It is very likely that Wike will not decline to serve and what would that mean to the party? The picture will be clearer on Monday.”

Surprisingly, suspended National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, who had a tough battle with Wike, attended the meeting, having stayed away from its activities since he was suspended by his Igyorov ward, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.