By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Following weeks of bickering and war of words, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike have finally met in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The peace meeting between Atiku and Wike took place at the residence of a former Minister of Information and chieftain of PDP, Prof Jerry Gana.
The meeting, held behind closed doors, a competent source said, resolved to set up a small peace and reconciliation committee of equal number from both sides (Atiku and Wike) to look at all grey areas with a view to finding solutions to them.
The outcome of the ‘small committee’, it was further learnt, will be subjected to the final approval and ratification of another larger committee of the party.
A source privy to the meeting said, “The meeting was a very cordial one. Both parties have resolved to let peace reign and put everything that had happened in the past behind them”.
It will be recalled that shortly after his emergence, Atiku settled for the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as his presidential running mate, contrary to expectation in some quarters that Wike would be named as the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP.
The development, however, did not go down well with Wike who never hid his feelings through his comments, actions and attitude so far.
There has been no love lost between the duo since the presidential primaries of the PDP which took place between May 28 and 29 this year, during which Atiku Abubakar emerged as the presidential flag bearer of the party, while Wike came second.
It will be recalled that the Board of Trustees of the PDP had on Wednesday set up a committee to look into the rift between Atiku and Wike.
Meanwhile, the meeting of former and serving spokespersons of the PDP has restated confidence in the party’s National Chairman, Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and the National Working Committee (NWC) in running the affairs of the Party.
The meeting also expressed confidence in the capacity, experience and competence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to rescue, redirect and rebuild this country to earn the respect of the International Community.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja yesterday.
According to the communique signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon Debo Ologunagba, “We believe that only the PDP under the leadership of H.E Atiku Abubakar has the capacity to protect and secure the lives and properties of Nigerians as well as rebuild the economy of the nation in such a manner as to put food on the table.
“We commit to remain loyal and integral in the mission of the PDP to make all sacrifices necessary to achieve success in Rescuing, Redirecting and Rebuilding our nation from the misrule of the APC.”
