There is speculation that the reason why former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, recently visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was concerning the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
TrackNews Media recalls that in a viral video on social media, the minister entertained Saraki in his Abuja residence.
He was seen in the kitchen showing his culinary skills to welcome the former Senate President.
The visit stirred up a lot of relations online as some social media slammed Wike for cooking for Saraki after he did the same for Femi Gbajabiamila when he also visited recently.
However, the reason for Saraki’s visit to Wike’s residence has been uncovered as top sources privy to the issue said it was unconnected to the chairmanship tussle of the PDP.
It would be recalled that in the wake of the 2023 general election, Saraki was part of the campaign team of the party’s flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar, but Wike worked against him because he and his G5 counterparts demanded the resignation of the embattled former PDP chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
Speaking to The Punch, a credible source who is a high-ranking member of the PDP National Working Committee disclosed that the reason for the Wike-Saraki visit was because of who would succeed the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
The source noted that Atiku and some of the party’s leaders have penned down Saraki as the successor of Damagum because they believe he has what it takes to move the party forward.
However, the party was waiting for the Supreme Court’s verdict on Atiku’s appeal against President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 28 presidential polls.
The source said, “We are aware that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku, and a few party leaders are discussing the person that will succeed the Damagum. In recent times, I am aware that Atiku and some of these leaders have settled for Saraki.
“They settled for Saraki because they believed he had the charisma and the political will to reposition the party. So, discussion is ongoing within party stakeholders.”
Responding to when the PDP intends to unveil the next national chairman, the source said, “What is delaying the process is the Atiku and PDP’s case before the Supreme Court.
“Once the Supreme Court rules on the presidential election matter between now and November, the leaders will come out open, and things will pick up.”
However, when contacted for reaction, Saraki’s media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the visit as a “friendly visit.”
