PDP crisis: Wike, Makinde, Ortom back to London

Following the inability of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rein in the warring factions in the party, the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and some of his allies have again returned to London for another round of meetings.

 Atiku met with Wike and some of his allies in London two weeks ago. The presidential candidate had reportedly spoken with the governors on the need for the PDP to go into next year’s election united.

However, after that, Wike and Senator Iyiocha Ayu, the national chairman of the party, renewed hostility by exchanging words in the media.

After the heated exchange, Wike and his loyalists, including the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, had headed for London.

Daily Trust on Sunday reliably gathered that the London meeting is meant for strategy ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC) meetings that will hold before the establishment of the PDP campaign council later in the week.

The London meeting, Daily Trust on Sunday, also understands, has to do with whether the Wike camp should accept a role in the council or not.

A source told our reporter that after the meeting with the party’s presidential candidate in London, both parties were hopeful of a truce, but things turned out otherwise.

Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State governor, Nathaniel Ikyur, told our reporter yesterday that his principal had travelled out of the country, but on a two-week vacation.

He said, “Yes, the governor has travelled with the Rivers State governor. He is expected back in the country on the 16th of this month.”