The London meeting of the 2023 presidential candidates, on Thursday, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu, has put Nyesom Wike in a state of political dilemma on which of the three to give the votes of loyalists in Rivers State.
Goldennewsng reports that while Atiku agreed on Thursday to all Wike’s requests ahead of the 2023 general election, most in Wike’s camp preferred Tinubu to Peter Obi alliance.
Recall that yesterday, Wike, Rivers governor, Makinde, Oyo governor,m Donald Duke, Cross River ex-governor, Ikpeazu, Abia governor, Ortom, Benue governor in different sessions met with the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in London.
The meeting was primarily to seek Wike’s support for the APC candidate even though he remains a PDP governor.
Also, Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, flew to London on Thursday to discuss with Wike on how to settle the skirmishes in the party.
Atiku and Wike entered into political war following Atiku’s decision to nominate Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta governor instead of him as the running mate, following a committee decision.
To support Atiku, Wike listed requirements Atiku must meet to get his support, including the resignation of the party’s national chairman, Ayu Iyorchia, Atiku signs a one-term agreement if he wins the 2023 election.
A source who was at the London meeting yesterday, Thursday confirmed that Atiku agreed to all WIke’s requests and is ready to sign the paper.
The former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo was also in London meeting on Thursday, with the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, the popular youth’s choice.
But while Obasanjo as an elder statesman was seeking Wike’s support, some in Wike’s team said they preferred Tinubu of APC.
An insider in the London meeting between Wike, Peter Obi and Obasanjo, disclosed to Punch that, “Obasanjo is working on that, but many of us (Wike’s camp) prefer Tinubu.”
He said “Tinubu has a political structure and base. Although Obi is ‘Obidient’, he doesn’t have a structure and base. Obi’s candidacy will only rub off on the PDP’s stronghold.”
Obasanjo according to the insider sees Peter Obi as the most competent have been in politics for years, and Wike and his camp have benefited from the former president’s political mastery.
Obasanjo believes that the South-East through Peter obi should be supported to lead the country come 2023, since the region has not produced the president of the country since independence, after 30 months of civil war and the return to democracy in 1999.
Should Wike work for Atiku, his party’s candidate, who has agreed to his requests? Should Wike work for Tinubu, APC candidate against his party and future chances in the PDP? Should Wike listen to Obasanjo, an elder statesman, who understands the murky water of politics and is seeking equity, fairness, and unity of the country, through Peter Obi? Wike may be in a serious political dilemma.