His denial came amid increasing tension in the party over ongoing talks between Atiku and aggrieved party members sympathetic to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Atiku had appointed a seven-man team, led by Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, to hold discussions with Wike’s team, led by former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana.
The two camps are billed to meet in Port-Harcourt on a date yet to be announced.
Wike’s camp mum as Odili’s birthday overshadows anticipated meeting
Yesterday, loyalists of Governor Wike were mum on the proposed meeting with the Atiku camp in Rivers State, due to the state government’s participation in the birthday celebration of former governor, Dr. Peter Odili.
The celebration dominated events around the state as the event attracted governors of Benue and Abia states, Samuel Ortom and Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; former Transport Minister, Senator Abiye Sekibo, and other party chieftains.
When contacted the PDP chairman in Rivers, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, on the planned interface, the call wasn’t fruitful.
We’ll know outcome of any meeting — Source
But a credible source within the Wike camp said: “Yes, we are here in Rivers to celebrate. However, we will know the outcome of the meeting when they are through.”
In Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Atiku vowed to curb the current insecurity and poverty in the nation, if voted into power.
He spoke while addressing a mammoth crowd of PDP supporters who converged in his honour.
On the occasion, he received over 1,640 APC defectors from Mubi North and Fufore Local Government Areas of the state.
He said: “Though I am not here to campaign, rather to receive the supporters and decampees as well as integrate them into the big umbrella of the PDP.”
Governor Fintiri also promised to work tirelessly for the people of the state and the party, assuring that Atiku will emerge the next President in 2023.
Also speaking, the state chairman of the party, Mr A.T. Shehu, revealed that 1,640 decampees were received from Toungo Local Government Area, while two serving members of the state House of Assembly and over one hundred others were from Fufore and Mubi North Local Government Areas respectively.
Speaking on behalf of the supporters, a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly from Fufore Gurin Constituency, Shuaibu Babbbas, affirmed their loyalty and commitment to the PDP in its quest to oust the APC and fix the country.
