By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
As part of efforts to reconcile and give all Presidential contestants a sense of belonging in his Presidential campaign train, the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Monday visited Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State governor.
Atiku came to the Rivers State governor’s lodge Asokoro around 10 a.m accompanied by some party chieftain and stakeholders.
The PDP Presidential Candidate solicited the governor’s support in his campaign just as he reminded Wike that Nigerians have one common enemy – the All Progressives Congress (APC) asking him to join him and Nigerians to win the next election and save the country from collapse and disintegration.
He stressed the need for everyone to work together to unseat the ruling party and put all the events of the convention behind so as to achieve this goal.
Responding, Gov. Wike thanked Atiku for the bold step and pledged to keep to his word of remaining and supporting whoever wins the ticket of the party.
He maintained that he is “a party man who has been in the party since 1998” and will continue to work for, and remain loyal to the party.
While assuring that he is “going nowhere”, the governor urged Atiku to learn lessons from the 2019 elections where governors had promised the support of their states but failed to deliver.
He also reiterated that the same situation repeated itself at the just concluded Special National Convention.
Atiku was accompanied by former Minister of Police, Adamu Waziri; Tunde Ayeni, a businessman and an ex-lawmaker, Ehigie Uzamere while those present to receive Mr Abubakar were former Attorney-General, Mohammed Adoke; a PDP chieftain, Dan Obi; co-presidential aspirant, Ayo Fayose among others.
Recall that he had earlier paid simolsar visit to the Bauchi State governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.
It is widely believed that Tambuwal’s withdrawal from the race was a major factor that gave Atiku his victory.
Gov. Wike was one of the top contenders in the party’s primary on Saturday. He scored 237 votes, closely behind Atiku who scored 371 votes to win the election.
Gov. Wike was said to have been the most aggressive aspirant in terms of spending and campaigning and stood a good chance of winning the primary but for the last-minute withdrawal of the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, from the race.
It was learnt that after Gov. Tambuwal announcing his withdrawal and asked his supporters to vote for Atiku the campaign alignment changed immediately to the Shock of Gov. and his team.
It was further learnt that Wike left the convention venue as soon as it was clear that Atiku was coasting to victory.
