2023: Ex Gov Aliyu, Jonathan Vatsa reconcile

With what many would describe as impossicant, the long time rivalry between former Governor of Niger state, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu and Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa hàve been laid to rest after the duo had a closed door meeting that lasted for over two hours on Sunday.

The reconciliation may not be unconnected with the 2023 general elections. As details of their meeting was however not immediately made known to Journalists who were surprised at the appearance of APC Stalwart who singlehandedly took swipes on the then Babangida Aliyu led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger state.

Vatsa, as the Publicity Secretary of the APC, was one of the staunched critics of the former governor Babangida Aliyu administration in the run off to the 2015 general elections and his media war against the Governor Aliyu’s administration contributed immensely to the victory of the party in 2015.

The current Coordinator on Public Affairs to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and the former governor are meeting for the first time after the former left office in 2015.

After the meeting at Dr Aliyu’s private home in Minna, the State capital, Vatsa told Journalists that it had nothing to do with the 2023 general elections.

Although the meeting between the duo may not be unconnected with political maneuvering ahead of the 2023 general elections, the former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism who came out of the meeting with smiles on his face told journalists that he only paid a Sallah visit.

According to him “I am here to pay sallah visit to the former governor who I respect so much. No matter the political difference, He was my former governor and a political leader in the state. Politics is not meant to separate us but to unite us for the general good of the society.

“No matter how bad the situation might look like at the moment, I am still a member of the APC, my visit to the former governor has no political motive. Afterall, some APC governors visited governor Nyesom Wike of River State recently and heaven did not fall”.

Efforts to get the former Governor to speak proved abortive as he had many guests to attend to. As at the time of filing this report former Governor Aliyu is still indoors receiving and attending to guests