According to sources, Atiku is scheduled to return to Nigeria today (Monday) after several weeks away.
His return, however, coincides with rumors that Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, may be defecting due to the way he was passed over for the position of running mate.
Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, was chosen by Atiku as his running mate despite an advisory council with 14 out of 17 members favoring Wike.
He is expected to lead the reconciliation moves with Wike who on Friday met with three All Progressives Congress (APC) governors namely, Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), and Babajide Sanwo- Olu (Lagos), in his private residence in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Although the meeting was held behind closed doors, it was learned that Wike was yet to commit to defecting to the APC.
It was gathered that the PDP presidential candidate will cut short his vacation to lead the charge in the Osun gubernatorial election slated for July 16, 2022.
“With his return, the PDP presidential standard-bearer is also expected to take full charge of the dialogue and mediation processes to resolve the fallout from the PDP presidential nomination processes”, a source in the party said.
When contacted, Atiku’s media adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, affirmed that he would be in Osogbo in-person to mobilize the people of Osun to vote for Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the PDP’s candidate for governor.
I can confirm that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar will be in Osogbo to lead the charge Of the mobilization of eligible voters in Osun State to support, he said.
Sen. Ademola Adeleke in the governorship election on the 16th of July. At the PDP rally in the state on Thursday, the PDP’s presidential candidate would be present in person.
