By Wilfred Eya
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday stormed London again along with his political allies to continue his meetings and consultations ahead of 2023 general elections.
Wike’s allies include Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.
A highly placed source close to Wike told Saturday Sun that the Rivers governor, his Oyo and Benue State counterparts, Seyi Makinde and Samuel Ortom respectively are currently in London, to deliberate on their next political move.
Our source said that Makinde who has been on his annual vacation since the last meeting, was first joined by Wike, while Ortom who was on his way to the United States of America, made a stopover for the meeting.
He said, “Unless a miracle happens, the reconciliation talks between Atiku and Wike have irretrievably collapsed.
“Wike and his team want to consider the best option in the ensuing political crisis ahead of the campaign flag off of political parties.”
He added, “The die is cast, Wike and his team who have been canvassing for a Southern President of Peoples Democratic Party extraction were prepared to make concessions in the interest of the party but the arrogance of some leaders on the other side has forced them to have a rethink.
“They’re not considering leaving the party, far from it. We all knew what happened in 2015 and 2019, our troubles came mostly from within.
“Ayu too has not helped matters. Instead of playing the role of a father to all, he chose to satisfy the longing of Atiku and a few of his expired political acolytes.
“If you can remember, Ayu did not contest an election, there wasn’t a contest . Initially there were three persons pencilled for the position when it was micro-zoned to Benue. They were: Sen. Gabriel Suswam, Sen. David Mark and Ayu.
“ It was the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who in consultation with Wike and others thought it wise to let it go to Ayu.”
Just last week, the Rivers State governor and his allies were in London to consult with various stakeholders beyond party lines.
He met with the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; All Progressives Congress rival, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the first London trip.
Speaking on the last trip, Wike had stated, “This is the first time as a team that we are meeting with presidential candidates. We met with candidate of the APC, met with our leader, former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo. We met presidential candidate of Labour Party, met with our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
“For whatever it’s worth, consultation is ongoing. Whatever we are talking about is for interest of Nigerians. It is not parochial and tied to one person or group of persons. We believe what is going on will be for the interest of Nigerians at the end of the day.
“Consultation is still ongoing. Never mind some people who do not believe in the existence of this country. Leadership is not about you and your family. Leadership is about everybody.