Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar met with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other PDP governors in Benin City, Edo State, ahead of the upcoming governorship election.
However, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was noticeably absent from the rally.
The meeting, which took place on Friday, September 14, was part of the PDP’s grand finale campaign for the Edo state governorship election scheduled for Saturday, September 21.
As announced by the party, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, led the governors.
Among the list of governors said to be in attendance, Makinde was missing.
The development follows the recent outburst by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
Wike, who supported President Tinubu’s election in 2023 against the party’s chosen candidate, Atiku, said in a recent interview that he would never support Fubara in his political life, citing concerns about the treatment of those who worked for his successor in Rivers State.
However, he maintained a neutral stance in the upcoming election, stating that he would not support either the PDP or APC candidates.
It can be recalled that Wike was the leader of the G5, a faction within the PDP, comprising governors who withheld their support for Atiku in the 2023 presidential election.
The group consisted of Wike himself, alongside Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
#PDPGrandRally:
Atiku Abubakar and Governor Fubara Storm Benin City for PDP Grand Finale Rally in Oredo.The former Vice President of Nigeria and @OfficialPDPNig Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Election, @atiku and the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara… pic.twitter.com/Ke0PqglZ26
BREAKING NEWS: Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, Leads 11 Other Governors to Benin City for the Grand Rally
In a show of unity and strength, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, is currently in… pic.twitter.com/w2mEDWgroa