By Akinwale Kasali
Former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is absent from the ongoing One-Day Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Retreat for elected officials of the Party at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Bauchi State.
Wike’s absence is fueling speculations of his defection especially among PDP members.
However, sources within the Party said he was not invited as the Party has decided to isolate him. “We don’t care whether he defects or not. As far as we are concerned, he is no longer PDP.”
Prior to the February 25th, 2023 Presidential Election, Wike was at loggerheads with the Party, joining forces with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and former Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.
They formed the PDP G5 Governors which called for the removal of the now suspended PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
His has been in an open romance with the ruling APC administration.
Some of the dignitaries present at the retreat are: Governors of Adamawa – Umaru Fintiri; Bayelsa – Duoye Diri; Bauchi – Bala Mohammed; Delta – Sheriff Oborevwori; Osun – Ademola Adeleke; Oyo – Seyi Makinde; Rivers – Siminalayi Fubara; Plateau – Caleb Mutfwang; Taraba – Agbu Kefas; Zamafara – Dauda Dare and Edo – Godwin Obaseki (was represented by his deputy, Philip Shuaibu).
Others are the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar; National Working Committee of the party led by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara; former PDP National Chairman, Ahmed Makarfi; former Board of Trustees Chairman, Walid Jibril; former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; former Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal; Kogi State Governorship Candidate, Dino Melaye.
Also in attendance are: serving Senators and House of Representatives members, many of whom came alongside the Senators-elect and House of Representatives-elected members.
