Politics

The Rivers government's camp is resolute as Atiku builds a team to court Wike.

Atiku Abubakar

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, has formed a committee to appease and win over Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, and some other irate party members.

Atiku started the project because he believed that a united front would be necessary going into the general elections of 2023.

According to The PUNCH, the pick of Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, as Atiku's running mate has caused a rift inside the opposition party.

Wike, Okowa, and Akwa-Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel appeared before the PDP's screening panel to choose a vice-presidential candidate for the party's presidential flagbearer.

Following rumors that Wike had been chosen by the PDP, Okowa was proposed as the party's presidential candidate.Atiku started the project because he believed that a united front would be necessary going into the general elections of 2023.

According to The PUNCH, the pick of Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, as Atiku's running mate has caused a rift inside the opposition party.

Wike, Okowa, and Akwa-Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel appeared before the PDP's screening panel to choose a vice-presidential candidate for the party's presidential flagbearer.

Following rumors that Wike had been chosen as the vice presidential candidate by the party advisory committee the day before, Okowa was proposed by the PDP presidential candidate.

However, evidence suggests that the PDP was concerned Wike may undermine Atiku's ambitions if he lost the party's presidential election. According to The PUNCH, the pick of Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, as Atiku's running mate has caused a rift inside the opposition party.

Wike, Okowa, and Akwa-Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel appeared before the PDP's screening panel to choose a vice-presidential candidate for the party's presidential flagbearer.

Following rumors that Wike had been chosen as the vice presidential candidate by the party advisory committee the day before, Okowa was proposed by the PDP presidential candidate.

However, evidence suggests that the PDP was concerned about Wike's potential to undermine Atiku's ambition after Wike lost the party's nomination for president and his running mate to Atiku.

The defection of became one of the clearest indications that the PDP would run into trouble.Along with the resignations of two of the governor of Rivers State's allies, Godsday Orubebe, a former minister of the Niger Delta, and Kassim Afegbua, a former commissioner in Edo State, a mass departure of party members was reportedly rumored to be imminent.

Prior to the 2023 general elections, Atiku allegedly formed a team to placate and fully reintegrate Wike into his campaign council in response to the worrying indicators within the party.

A PDP chieftain with knowledge of the pick stated, speaking on the condition of anonymity, "Atiku wanted to tell Wike about his choice of Okowa one-on-one but then, he learned that Wike had returned to Rivers. That was blatantly a good faith act. Atiku wanted to give Wike credit even if he wasn't chosen as the winner.

"Atiku has established a reconciliation committee to get in touch with Wike and patch things up. Atiku is aware of the importance of presenting a unified front during the 2023 elections. There will be complete calm. not just Wike but any party member who has been wronged.

One of Atiku's closest allies confirmed the development by saying, "Our folks (PDP members) are still angry, and mediation is a serious endeavor even if you don't seem sincere."

Governor Wike is crucial to Atiku's win, there is no doubt about it, Your Excellency. Regardless of what anyone says, that man is a party man through and through. He entered the race because he is aware of the times we are living in; And for that reason, he entered the race. He wants to be president because he believes he is qualified to lead the nation, just like the other contestants.

"Since the competition is done, it is our duty to bring everyone together. A divided army does not enter a combat. When you fight beside a man like Wike, you don't leave him behind. You exert every effort to get him to join you. The people who have oppressed us and reduced us to poverty are our adversaries, not anyone in the PDP.

The insider declined to give their identities when asked about the makeup of the reconciliation panel.

He said the group would speak to those who were privy to Wike's whereabouts and persuade them to contact the governor of Rivers State in order to form an alliance with Atiku.

The insider continued, "There is no deadline for the committee's work; it is an ongoing procedure. I can promise you that a lot of work is being done since we are working incredibly hard. I am aware because I spoke with one of the parties concerned.

Debo Ologunagba, the PDP's national publicity secretary, declined to comment, while Atiku's media advisor, Mr. Paul Ibe, could not be reached for comment.

Wike Camp

However, as the supporters of the governor of Rivers State have criticized the attempt as superfluous, Atiku's efforts to promote peace may be headed for failure.

Ogbomna Nwuke, a Rivers State PDP official and former member of the House, called the Atiku reconciliation committee a contradiction.

On the one hand, someone claims that Wike talks excessively and is likely unmanageable, he remarked in an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday. On the other side, you also want him to support your campaign. You want to win, and you believe he can help you do that. Is that not in conflict with itself?

"For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Wike had declared that he would remain in the PDP regardless of what occurred. He said it in that manner.