PDP Caucus Meeting: Atiku, Wike Reunite Amid Party’s Internal Leadership Tensions

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held its national caucus meeting on Wednesday, bringing together former vice-president Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), for the first time since the 2023 presidential primary election.

The meeting, which took place at the Bauchi governor’s lodge in the Asokoro district of Abuja, comes amid ongoing internal leadership tensions within the PDP following the party’s defeat in the 2023 elections.

Atiku and Wike were both contenders for the PDP’s presidential ticket in 2022, with the former vice-president eventually emerging as the party’s flagbearer.

However, the aftermath of the primary election led to a rift within the PDP, with a group of five governors, known as the G5, demanding the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu, who was then the national chairman of the party.

Despite the G5’s efforts, Ayu refused to step down, leading to a significant divide within the PDP.

Wike and his allies in the G5 — Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) — would later form a major opposition to Atiku in the 2023 presidential election.

Their actions were believed to have contributed to the PDP’s defeat in the elections.

The recent PDP caucus meeting in Abuja marked a significant moment for the party, as it was the first time that Atiku and Wike met publicly since the 2023 presidential primary.

The meeting is seen as an attempt by the PDP to address the internal leadership tensions that have plagued the party and to find a way forward after its recent electoral setbacks.

As the PDP seeks to rebuild and regain its footing in Nigerian politics, the meeting between Atiku and Wike could signal a potential step towards reconciliation and unity within the party.

However, the challenges facing the PDP remain significant, and it remains to be seen whether the party can overcome its internal divisions and regain the trust of Nigerian voters.