Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike have met for the first time after the 2023 election as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holds a National Caucus meeting in Abuja.
The meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro drew key figures such as former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, and his Sokoto South counterpart Aminu Tambuwal.
Also in attendance were prominent PDP stalwarts, including Ahmed Makarfi, Babangida Aliyu, Jonah Jang, and Sule Lamido.
The caucus gathering served as a precursor to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday afternoon at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Comprising PDP governors, National Assembly members, select Board of Trustees members and National Working Committee representatives, the caucus holds significant sway in shaping the party’s direction.
Earlier in the day, the PDP’s NWC convened and reaffirmed its support for Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, while the party’s governors convened separately to strategise ahead of the NEC session.
It was gathered that the particular note was the presence of Atiku and Wike at the same meeting, marking their first joint appearance since the 2023 general elections.
Former Vice-President Sambo occupied a seat between the two during the proceedings.
The rift between Atiku and Wike emerged during the primaries, with Wike expressing discontent over Atiku’s choice of running mate. Despite efforts to reconcile the two, Wike openly backed APC’s Bola Tinubu in the presidential race, culminating in Atiku’s defeat.
Following the election, Tinubu extended an olive branch to Wike, later appointing him as FCT Minister.
Also on Wednesday, the embattled National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, withdrew his appeal, which sought to challenge his removal as the party’s national chairman. His move is also believed to be connected with the party’s upcoming National Executive Meeting.
Ayu was suspended by the executive committee of the PDP in Igyorov ward in Gboko Local Government Area of Kogi State had in 2023 over alleged anti party activities.
They also claimed that Ayu was not paying his membership dues and did not vote in the March 18 governorship and the House of Assembly elections in Benue State.
Dissatisfied with the party’s decision, Senator Ayu approached the court to challenge his removal.
However, a Federal High Court in June last year affirmed the decision of the party to sack Senator Ayu, a judgement that led to an appeal, which he has now withdrawn.
