According to Vanguard’s report, Senator Bukola Saraki, the former President of the Senate, visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, at his Abuja residence to discuss the chairmanship tussle in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Prior to this, Wike had visited Saraki in his Maitama residence. Despite being an appointee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike declared himself a member of the PDP, working with the APC to transform Nigeria.
The source privy to the meeting explained that Wike’s group has decided to remain in the PDP and must work to retain their influence in the party. One way to do this is to be part of the power groups that will determine the party’s future by influencing who leads the party from next year. Saraki is moving fast and getting more supporters, and the Wike group needs to quickly jump on it and be part of the forces that will propel the party to a successful destination.
Failure by the Wike group to join the reconciliation team may lead to the emergence of “a hostile Chairman who may move against them.” Saraki is seen as a reconciliation and bridge-builder, somebody they can trust to be neutral and has the capacity and resources to rebuild the party. The meeting with Wike is the first step the Wike group is making. More governors and senators in the group will openly canvass support for Saraki and even visit.
Many have silently visited him. Regarding Saraki’s chairmanship ambition, the source says he has not decided on the chairmanship. His position is that they should wait until after the Supreme Court verdict on the Atiku case. Either way, the case goes, the next assignment for the PDP is resolving leadership issues and reconciliation.