2023: Atiku promises to support Wike for president in 2027; Atiku denies commitment
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) presidential flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has been reported to have offered the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike a new deal going by the perceived danger posed to his ambition in next year’s presidential election.
According to the Nations Newspaper and an online newspaper (Not LENS) which streamed the report on Saturday, both men met on Thursday in Abuja in a fresh bid to patch up their differences, with Atiku promising to support Wike’s own presidential bid in 2027 if he (Wike) agreed to sheathe sword and support him in the 2023 election.
The report states that a fresh effort brought them together on Thursday where Atiku pleaded with Wike to prevail on his camp to join the campaign train of PDP.
Wike the report say was non-committal to Atiku because of past breaches of commitment.
Sources according to The Nation said that Wike was not excited about the 2027 prospect in view of a similar promise made by Atiku to the Igbo during a meeting with PDP stakeholders in Enugu earlier this week.
“Wike was not forthcoming and he avoided an outright commitment to Atiku’s request to be part of the PDP campaign team.
“He told Atiku that he would go and consult with his team and get back to him.
The meeting between the duo was said to have taken place behind closed doors at the governor’s personal residence in Asokoro District in Abuja.
But Atiku Abubakar, has denied these media reports that he promised to support Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike’s presidential ambition in 2027 general elections.
Spokesperson of the PDP Presidential Campaign Management Committee, Senator Dino Melaye, said at no time did the PDP presidential candidate had such discussion with Governor Wike or anyone.
“I speak for Atiku Abubakar that no such discussion between Atiku Abubakar and Governor Wike of Rivers State. At no time did Atiku Abubakar discuss such with Governor Wike.
“Atiku never promise or discuss 2027 with Governor Wike or anyone for that matter. Coming from The Nation Newspaper, you should understand,” Melaye stated.
Reminiscing the friction, the duo and their supporters have been locked in a face-off since June when the former vice president overlooked Wike and picked Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
Atiku at a point appeared to have decided to ignore Wike, and proceeded with his campaign while the Rivers State Governor and his supporters threatened to have nothing to do with the Atiku presidential campaign.
Five of the 11 state governors elected on the platform of PDP are in Wike’s camp, leading to a major crack in the party.
