APC renews lobby for Wike; Umahi, Ayade visit Port Harcourt

The All Progressives Congress (APC) may be making another move to lure Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defect to the APC in the preparations for the 2023 general elections. The party delegate this time appeared to involve two APC governors, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and Prof. Ben Ayade of Cross River State, who on Wednesday night visited Governor Wike in Port Harcourt.

Governor Umahi and Governor Ayade were accompanied to Port Harcourt by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.

Umahi is visiting Wike for the third time in the past six months. He was in Port Harcourt in June and August 2022.

Though the governors did not give details of their deliberations, there were indications that the closed-door meeting may not be unconnected with negotiations for form a strong southern alliance across party line towards the February 25 presidential election.

Governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, former Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, among other APC chieftains had at different times visited Wike in Port Harcourt in anticipation for defection.