Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential candidate, broke down the political barrier between him and Nyesom Wike on Tuesday while praying for the governor of Rivers State.
In his prayers, Atiku told God to ensure all lines fall in pleasant places for Wike.
“As you turn 55 today, I pray that all lines fall in pleasant places for you. Enjoy your special day,” Atiku’s stated in a statement he personally authored.
Regardless of whether Atiku’s prayer was sincere or not, it certainly improved his reputation. The evidence of that could be seen in his comment section on social media.
“A good man. Politics without bitterness. Happy birthday, governor Wike,” Theo Abu wrote on Atiku’s page.
Another commentator Forlan wrote: “Maturity at its very peak. An elder statesman to the bone.”
“Thank you for showing big maturity sir and happy birthday to Gov Wike,” another commentator wrote.
Wike has been at loggerheads with Atiku since when his 2023 presidential ambition was terminated when he lost the PDP’s primary to Atiku in May.
Atik added to Wike’s wounds when he passed over him and chose Okowa as his running mate.
Wike has since been at loggerheads with PDP presidential candidate (Atiku) over the chairmanship of Iyorchia Ayu.
The Rivers Governor with four other PDP governors known as the G5 or the Integrity Group have insisted that Benue-born Ayu must step down for a southerner as a precondition to support the 2023 ambition of Atiku.
Last month, Wike promised logistics support for the campaigns of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi; and his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
While Wike and his allies have not been seen to campaign for Atiku, it is not clear whether they will support Obi, Kwankwaso, or APC’s Bola Tinubu.