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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has met with Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to reconcile their differences ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Atiku’s visit to Wike was the first since he reportedly outsmarted the Governor to emerge presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against Wike’s preferred aspirant and Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal in 2015.
It was recently reported Wike and Atiku were in separate camps in the battle for the fate of Prince Uche Secondus as National Chairman of PDP.
While Wike was said to be disposed to ousting Secondus, Atiku was reportedly in favour of retaining him as chairman.
But a statement by Wike’s Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, quoted Atiku as clarifying the reasons for his visit.
Atiku, who spoke in Government House, Port Harcourt, said his meeting with Wike was fruitful, explaining that party affairs brought him to the State.
He specifically said he spent some time with Wike reconciling touching issues bothering on how to ensure unity and stability in PDP to enable the party clinch electoral victory in 2023.
He said Nigerians were waiting eagerly for PDP to take over power at the federal level in 2023.
Atiku said: “Well, I came here to reconcile with the governor on party affairs and how we can ensure that there is unity and stability in the party.
“So, that we can take over government in 2023. I believe that Nigerians can’t wait for 2023 to come, so that PDP will return.”
Atiku described the prevailing insecurity in the country as bad saying the PDP at the appropriate time would unveil its policies on how it would address the issue.
He said: “I have never seen it (insecurity) this bad. I am 70 years plus, I have never seen it this bad in terms of security challenges, in terms of economy, in terms of unemployment. This is the worst.
“Why can’t you give us time? We will come up with our policies. We will present them to Nigerians when the time comes.
“We have done that before. Under PDP, we recorded the highest economic growth, the best foreign reserves, we reduced unemployment. You know that we can do it.”
He acknowledged the tremendous leadership success recorded by Wike, who he described as a topmost Governor among his peers in the party.
He further commended the Governor for his leadership and performance in office.
