As the main candidates for the 2023 presidential elections shuttle between former colonial capitals in search of common ground and alliances, observers say the development reflects the propensity of Nigerian political elites to seek solutions to internal problems outside.
As the general elections approach, the political camps continue to move in search of allies to help them gain the mandate of the people; only that some of these meetings are now held outside where people reside.
Nigerian news platforms have been inundated with reports and photos from recent trips to Paris and London by some of the key players in next year’s presidential election.
The importance of these trips for the choice of the Nigerian president for the next four years, however, remains foreign to the electorate.
June 28, 2022: Wike-Waziri Turkey meeting
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike flew to Turkey weeks after the PDP convention, still seething over his failure to become the party’s flag bearer for the 2023 presidential election.
Although Mr Wike and his allies claimed they were on vacation, it is almost impossible that the trip was not related to the ongoing crisis between the party and the governor.
While in Turkey, Mr Wike refused to grant an audience to a former police minister, Adamu Waziri, who was allegedly sent by Atiku Abubakar to speak to him.
Mr Wike was spotted with Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Turkey.
In another photo, the two governors and their counterpart from Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, were seen together in Turkey.
August 24, 2022: Wike-Tinubu meeting in London
In London, Mr Wike had separate meetings with Labor Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Atiku, and ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Mr Wike, who is at odds with his party, met Mr Tinubu in London on August 24 amid rumors the former could defect to the ruling APC.
Kabir Masari, a former replacement for the post of APC vice-president, confirmed the meeting and described it as fruitful.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Mr Masari said the former Lagos state governor had met Mr Wike as part of the 2023 calculations.
“Yes, it is true that they (Mrs. Tinubu and Wike) have met and they will continue to meet by the grace of God. The meeting was related to the 2023 general election and now we know that His Excellency Nyesom Wike will work for us (Tinubu team) and we would win easily,” he said.
August 25, 2022: London Wike-Obasanjo-Obi meeting
Mr Wike also met Mr Obi and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in London.
PREMIUM TIME reported that the trio met Thursday alongside Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State as well as former Governor of Cross River State Donald Duke.
The meeting took place before Mr. Wike met Atiku of the PDP.
August 25, 2022: Wike-Atiku meeting in London
The most recent of the meetings abroad is that between Mr. Wike and Atiku, also in London.
The August 25 reunion saw the duo who were at loggerheads meet over dinner at the Park Lane Carlton hotel in London on Thursday.
Also present were Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State among others.
Although the details of the meeting were not immediately made public, it is not unrelated to the efforts of reconciliation between the two politicians and resolution of the crisis within the party of opposition.
Paul Ibe, spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, said that while the details of the meeting were still not known, he was confident that the meeting went well.
On why the meeting was to be held outside the country, Mr Ibe said his manager originally left Nigeria for France on Monday for business purposes but then flew to London for the meeting.
“As soon as the meeting was over, he returned to France. The important thing is that the meeting took place. Where it took place, I think is a secondary question,” he added.
Governor de Rivers’ meeting with Atiku came amid calls for reconciliation from the two PDP leaders. Mr Wike has been at odds with the presidential candidate after losing the party’s presidential ticket to the former vice president in the primary in May.
His grievances increased when Atiku ignored him to choose Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State, as his running mate.
One of Wike’s demands to support Atiku and the party in 2023 is the resignation of the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
A source who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES anonymously because he was not authorized to speak said Mr. Wike’s stance on Atiku has not changed despite the meeting.
Attempts to speak to Mr Wike’s spokesman, Kelvin Ebiri, failed as he did not respond to calls and a text message sent to him.
Governors talk about London meetings
Mr Wike and two of his allies on their return to Nigeria on Friday confirmed that they had held political meetings in London. They however said they were doing it for the good of Nigeria.
“What we are talking about is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. It is not parochial, being centered on a person or a group of people, we
I believe what happens will be in Nigeria’s interest in the end,” he said.
According to Wike, nothing has materialized and discussions are ongoing. He urged Nigerians to “not pay attention to some people who do not believe in the existence of this country.”
Divergent views
Owei Lakemfa, former general secretary of the African Workers’ Union, interprets the trips as conspiracies.
“Elections in Nigeria after the First Republic are conspiracies. Just as the military conspired to overthrow civilian administrations, the
civil administrations engage in conspiratorial elections, not really to win the hearts of the people,” he said.
Mr. Lakemfa said that if politicians need to meet, there is nothing stopping them from meeting at their homes or at a resort in Nigeria, but rather they fly to various destinations using state resources.
Similarly, a former senator, Shehu Sani, berating politicians said, “if you have to meet in a serene environment, go to Obudu Ranch and if you have to travel, go to Addis Ababa”.
Mr Sani, who wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday, called on Nigeria’s political elites to stop meeting in London to decide Nigeria’s future 62 years after independence.
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