Obasanjo rallies support for Obi, says most reliable to drive Nigerian vision
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
“I can confirm that Peter Obi met with these PDP Governors and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in London ….
“The discussion is centred on salvaging our dear country from an imminent collapse, and there is a consensus among Nigerian patriots that Peter Obi is the most reliable of the candidates to drive this vision”– Peter Obi Support Network spokesperson Onwuasoanya Jones.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a staunch advocate of Nigeria’s unity, held a meeting with Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike in London on Thursday to drum up a broad support for Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Others present at the meeting included Obi and Wike’s allies – Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and former Cross Governor Donald Duke.
A member of Team Wike privy to the meeting disclosed Obasanjo hinged his support for Obi on the need for the South East to produce the next President.
“You know Obasanjo; if he believes in something, he works for it. His presence at the meeting was to convince Wike to support Obi. He believes the Labour Party’s presidential candidate is competent,” the source said, according to The PUNCH.
Peter Obi Support Network spokesperson Onwuasoanya Jones also confirmed the meeting.
“I can confirm that Peter Obi met with these PDP Governors and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in London and I can tell you that this is one out of several such meetings that have been held and will still be held as we approach the 2023 elections,” he said.
“Of course, the discussion is centred on salvaging our dear country from an imminent collapse, and there is a consensus among Nigerian patriots that Peter Obi is the most reliable of the candidates to drive this vision.”
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Some prefer Tinubu
Some expressed preference for All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu over Obi.
A another member of Team Wike, who spoke anonymously because he is not authorised to speak to the press on the matter, confirmed the meeting between Obasanjo and Wike was about the presidential election in 2023.
Asked if there is a possibility of an Obi/Wike alliance, the source said: “Obasanjo is working on that, but many of us (Wike’s camp) prefer Tinubu. Tinubu has a political structure and base.
“Although Obi is ‘Obidient’, he doesn’t have a structure and base. Obi’s candidacy will only rub off on the PDP’s stronghold.”
Wike and Tinubu met in London on Monday, as disclosed by former APC presidential running mate placeholder Ibrahim Masari.
“The meeting was basically on the 2023 presidential election and by God’s grace, we are going to work with Governor Nyesom Wike.
“He will assist and we are going to win the election with ease, by the will of God,’’ Masari told BBC Hausa from London on Wednesday.
He reasoned that Wike does not have to leave the PDP to work for Tinubu, who has come under heavy criticism for choosing a Muslim-Muslim ticket, and is seeking to bolster his chances by wooing Wike to his camp.
Atiku accedes to Wike’s demands
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar also met with Wike in the British capital to resolve their conflict.
Atiku pleaded with Wike to support him in the 2023 vote, according to a close associate of Wike who confided in The PUNCH that Atiku has agreed to meet all of Wike’s demands.
Among the key demands of Wike is for PDP Chairman Iyorchia Ayu to step down for someone from the South, because the PDP leadership is too Northernised, a stand also taken by Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Walid Jibrin.
A highly reliable source at the meeting between Atiku and Wike in London disclosed Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintri accompanied Atiku to the parley.
“He (Atiku) has agreed to meet all demands. He will sign an undertaking on all the agreements. Once he is able to meet them, the Wike group is ready to work with him. The details will be made known,” the source said.
