Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday celebrated Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on his 55th birthday.
Atiku put his differences with Wike in recent times aside to celebrate the outspoken but influential Rivers governor.
“As you turn 55 today, I pray that all lines fall in pleasant places for you. Enjoy your special day,” the former Vice President tweeted.
Atiku and Wike have been at loggerheads over the spread of power in the party’s hierarchy.
According to Wike, there was a gentlemanly agreement among PDP stakeholders that if a northerner emerges as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, who is from Benue State and consequential from the north-central region, would resign and allow a southerner take the seat.
However, after Atiku, a northerner, emerged as the PDP’S flag bearer for the Presidency, Ayu refused to resign, with backing from Atiku.
Wike and four other governors, who call themselves G-5 or Integrity Group, have said the party would be following the zoning principle set up by the party’s founders to ensure inclusivity if Ayu resigns for a southerner to take the seat.