Political intrigues in Nigeria preparatory to the commencement of electioneering next month are itching to the climax as party stalwarts and national leaders take horse-trading to London, United Kingdom.
At the centre of attraction is Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, the reigning bride who has become the cynosure of all eyes in Nigeria’s political arena in recent weeks.
Since June when the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, ditched Wike for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State in his choice of running mate, PDP has been embroiled in crisis.
On a number of occasions, Wike boasts of his political clout and how it can make or mar the chances of Atiku and PDP in the forthcoming presidential election. And while the party leadership makes a concerted effort to reconcile Wike with Atiku, the ruling All Progressives Congress tries to woo a new bride to its side.
Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt turned to a Mecca of some sort with some APC governors and chieftains paying him visits and commissioning projects executed by the PDP-led government in Rivers.
The political scheming became more apparent on Tuesday when Wike and the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, met in London.
In an interview with BBC Hausa service, APC’s former vice presidential placeholder, Ibrahim Masari stressed how a possible alliance with Wike could stand Tinubu in good stead to winning the presidential election.
“The meeting was basically on the 2023 presidential election and by God’s grace, we are going to work with governor Nyesom Wike. He will assist and we are going to win the election with ease, by the will of God.
