ATIKU PROMISES TO BACK WIKE'S PRESIDENTIAL BID IN 2027

Concerned about the threat to his presidential ambitions posed by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike's camp, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has offered the governor a new deal.

Both men met in Abuja on Thursday in an attempt to mend fences, with Atiku promising to back Wike's presidential bid in 2027 if he (Wike) agreed to lay down his sword and support him (Atiku) in the 2023 election.

The duo and their supporters have been at odds since June, when the former vice president passed over Wike in favor of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.

Previous attempts to reconcile them had failed to produce a positive outcome.

Atiku appeared to have decided to ignore Wike and continue with his campaign, even as the Rivers State Governor and his supporters threatened to boycott the Atiku presidential campaign.

Five of the eleven state governors elected on the PDP platform are in Wike's camp, causing a major schism in the party.

According to sources close to the meeting, the PDP presidential candidate offered to support Wike for president in 2027.

Wike was said to be uncommitted to Atiku because of previous breaches of commitment.

According to a source, Wike was not excited about the 2027 prospect because Atiku made a similar promise to the Igbo earlier this week during a meeting with PDP stakeholders in Enugu.

According to reports, Atiku met with Wike behind closed doors at the governor's personal residence in Abuja's Asokoro District.

According to a source who was present at the time: "Again, Atiku extended the olive branch to Wike. He pleaded with the governor to look at the bigger picture of winning the 2023 poll.

However, a new effort brought them together on Thursday, when Atiku begged Wike to persuade his camp to join the PDP campaign train.

According to sources close to the meeting, the PDP presidential candidate offered to support Wike for president in 2027.

Wike was said to be uncommitted to Atiku because of previous breaches of commitment.