Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State ruled out the possibility of a one-on-one meeting with the presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
This means there is no end in sight to the festering crisis in PDP over the choice of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate by Atiku.
Wike said Atiku should engage his team in peace talks on the terms proposed to the party, particularly the resignation of the national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
A source said Wike, who has returned from Turkey, has foreclosed a one-on-one meeting with Atiku, citing a lack of faith in any personal agreement with the candidate, instead of reconciliation talks with Atiku by his team.
The source said: “There is no likelihood of Wike having a one-on-one private discussion with Atiku. Shortly after the primary, the governor had a side meeting with Atiku in Abuja and nothing was adhered to.
“He was shocked that Atiku has not told Nigerians what transpired between him and Wike after the primary and how he arrived at Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as a running mate.
“Since there was no full disclosure, Wike has directed that fresh talks with Atiku should be with his strategy team members, who will come up with an advisory for him.”
Although the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, had suggested that Atiku should lead a reconciliation team to Wike, who also contested for the presidential ticket at the primary, the governor indicated that he would rely on the advisory from his “Strategy Team”.
