The political landscape in Nigeria continues to heat up as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, accompanied by his running mate, Kashim Shettima, and some APC governors paid a visit to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state on Wednesday.
The APC flag bearers and governors were received at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The visit, which is coming ahead of the general elections in 2023, is seen as a significant move by the APC to strengthen its hold in the southern region, particularly in Rivers state, which is currently under the control of the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
News About Nigeria (NAN) understands that during the visit, the APC leaders held a closed-door meeting with Governor Wike, where they discussed several issues, including the forthcoming elections and the need to work together towards ensuring peace and stability in the state. Notably, former governors Kayode Fayemi and Adams Oshiomhole, as well as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, were among those present at the meeting.
However, two notable absentees from the meeting were former Minister of Transportation and ex-governor of Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi, and the APC governorship candidate in Rivers, Tonye Cole. While there is no official explanation for their absence, it is believed that it may be connected to the ongoing leadership tussle in the party, particularly in the south-south region.
Governor Wike, who is a member of the G5 of the PDP, has not been at loggerheads with the leadership of the party, including the party’s flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar. The G5 is made up of five aggrieved governors of the PDP in southern Nigeria, including Wike, Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).
The five governors have demanded that Iyorchia Ayu step down as PDP national chairman as a precondition for them to support Atiku’s presidential ambition.
Overall, the visit by the APC leaders to Governor Wike is seen as a significant development in the buildup to the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, and it is expected to shape the political landscape in the southern region, particularly in Rivers state.
