Wike Did Not Visit Tinubu In France — Waziri

A member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Maina Waziri, has denied reports that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, met with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in France.

Since the selection of the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on June 16 by the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, there has been an uneasy calm in the leading opposition party, with speculations that Wike could be the best option for the APC.

A panel had recommended Wike who came second during the presidential primary to Atiku.

But Atiku picked Okowa against the recommendation.

This pitched him against the Rivers State governor and the people in his camp.

On Wednesday, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, tongue-lashed Atiku for jettisoning the recommendation of a committee he constituted.

“Fourteen of us in the committee said the person should be Nyesom Wike unfortunately Atiku picked Okowa in is his wisdom.

"You cannot ignore a decision of a committee you set up yourself and expect people to be happy,” he said.

On Thursday, Joe Igbokwe, an APC chieftain, claimed Wike met with Tinubu in France as reported by Daily Trust.

The claim gave grounds to speculations about the impending defection of the Rivers State governor to the APC.

Reacting, Maina, a former Minister of Police Affairs, said he has been with the Rivers State Governor on Wednesday in Istanbul, Turkey.

”Governor Wike came directly from Nigeria to Istanbul, Turkey.

"He did not go to France as speculated. This is to debunk the propaganda of the APC through Igbokwe.

"This is fake news orchestrated by the sinking ruling party which is on its way out, ”he said in a phone chat on Friday.

He however did not give details of their meeting in Instanbul.