Just In : Reason Why Wike Visited Saraki Emerge
According to Saturday PUNCH, the purpose behind the recent meeting between former Rivers State governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former President of the Senate, Abubakar Saraki has to do with ongoing quest for the next National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While Saraki and Wike were contenders in the PDP presidential primary, they both lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Subsequently, Saraki was appointed to the PDP/Atiku’s campaign team and, alongside other supporters, actively campaigned for the party during the presidential election.
However, in a move advocating for the removal of the suspended national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, for regional balance between the South and North, Wike, along with his G5 faction, took a stance against the interests of Atiku and the party in the 2023 presidential election.
After serving as the governor of Rivers State and later taking up a ministerial position in President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress government, Wike emphasized that his affiliation remained with the PDP. He clarified that he collaborated with President Tinubu to contribute to Nigeria’s transformation.
With increasing calls for Wike to face sanctions, numerous PDP members are also urging the replacement of the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Adding a new dimension, Wike paid an unexpected visit to Saraki’s residence on Tuesday, located at Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.
A reliable source, a senior member of the PDP National Working Committee, shared with Saturday PUNCH that Wike’s visit to Saraki was partly related to the deliberation over Damagum’s successor.
The source, preferring not to be named in print, revealed that Atiku and a handful of party leaders had endorsed Saraki as the preferred successor to Damagum.
He said, “We are aware that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku, and a few party leaders are discussing the person that will succeed the Damagum. In recent times, I am aware that Atiku and some of these leaders have settled for Saraki.
“They settled for Saraki because they believed he had the charisma and the political will to reposition the party. So, discussion is ongoing within party stakeholders.”
He explained that the delay in unveiling the next PDP National Chairman is attributed to the ongoing case involving Atiku and the PDP before the Supreme Court.
“Once the Supreme Court rules on the presidential election matter between now and November, the leaders will come out open and things will pick up.”
When contacted by The Punch, Saraki’s media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the visit as a “friendly visit”.
