Atiku Meets Fubara Amid Wike’s Outburst as Makinde Missing at PDP Governors’ Gathering

As preparations intensify for the Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024, key figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have converged in Benin City. Among the prominent attendees are former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Their presence at the grand finale rally in Oredo Local Government Area highlights the PDP’s determination to secure victory in the upcoming election.

The event, which saw the participation of most PDP governors, was marked by the conspicuous absence of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. This comes amid rising tensions within the party following an outburst by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who publicly rebuked Governor Fubara and expressed discontent with the state of the PDP in Rivers.

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Wike, a former Rivers governor and a central figure in the PDP, recently declared that he would not support Fubara in future political endeavors. Speaking in an interview on September 13, Wike alleged that those who worked to secure Fubara’s victory were sidelined after the election. He also indicated he would remain neutral in the Edo election, refusing to back either the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, or the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

Wike’s comments have added a layer of complexity to the PDP’s campaign efforts. The rift between him and Fubara, coupled with his strained relationship with Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, underscores the internal challenges the party faces as it heads into the election.

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Despite these tensions, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, has taken charge of rallying support for the party. The list of governors present at the grand finale was notable for the exclusion of Makinde, raising questions about the unity of the PDP’s leadership at this critical juncture.

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The PDP hopes to retain control of Edo State, with its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, vying to succeed Obaseki. In the lead-up to the election, the party has sought to downplay internal divisions and project a united front.

Meanwhile, spiritual leader Primate Elijah Ayodele has weighed in on the race, predicting that the PDP’s candidate may be rigged out using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS). He warned that the state would face hardship if any party other than the PDP wins the election.

As the election day approaches, all eyes remain on Edo, where the PDP’s ability to navigate its internal struggles could be key to determining the outcome.