August 24, (THEWILL) – There are indications that the face off between the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, may soon be resolved, as the two principal actors are set to meet behind closed doors, THEWILL exclusively gathered.
THEWILL reports that the direct meeting between the former vice-president and Wike, is coming after failed attempts by the reconciliation committee 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.
The members of Atiku’s delegation included Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa state; Adamu Waziri, former minister of police affairs, and Eyitayo Jegede, former PDP governorship candidate in Ondo state.
Those on Wike’s team, were Mohammed Adoke, former attorney-general of the federation; Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River; Olusegun Mimiko, former governor of Ondo state, and Ibrahim Dankwambo, former governor of Sokoto state.
Atiku had constituted the delegation after a 14-member committee he earlier set up to interface with Wike’s team failed to meet.
Although, the Rivers State Governor and some of his associates are currently out of the country, a reliable source close to Atiku told THEWILL that the meeting between the two leaders will take place once Wike returns from his trip.
The source added that Atiku had decided to jettison his reconciliation team, and meet the Governor Wike face to face to resolve their difference.
The crisis between Atiku and Wike followed the outcome of the June 8 presidential primary of the PDP.
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 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 major demands by the Wike led camp, is the restructuring of the leadership of the party to reflect a national character.
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.
