2023: Why I Met Wike In Port Harcourt – Udom Emmanuel

Posted by Samson Kankan Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Sunday, January 1st, 2023

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel on Saturday visited his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.

Emmanuel, accompanied by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, held a closed-door meeting with Wike that lasted for three hours.

The details of the meeting could not be ascertained, but it may not be unconnected with the crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as to solicit support for the party’s presidential candidate and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Briefing journalists after the meeting in Port Harcourt, Emmanuel said his visit to Wike – whom he described as his brother – is not new.

The Akwa Ibom state governor said his visit to his Rivers State counterpart is based on ‘brotherly love.’

When asked if his visit to Rivers is politically motivated, Emmanuel did not give a direct response.

He said, “if it is politics, I would have told you I came in for politics. I came in to see my brother. Why are you asking me about the mission?

“I am at my brother’s house. This is not the first time, this is not the second time, and this is not the third time you are seeing me here.

“But I think this is the season of love. Within this period, you don’t actually demonstrate that love. Love not shown is love wasted. I think that is what we are trying to demonstrate.”

Emmanuel’s visit comes a day after Wike and four other aggrieved PDP governors, popularly known as the G5, have repeatedly called for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

The G-5, which includes; Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) have been at loggerheads with Atiku in the wake of the party’s presidential primary.

They are yet to declare support for Atiku, insisting that the presidential ticket be given the party’s presidential ticket.