President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday evening convened a confidential meeting with key figures from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and three former state governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, Samuel Ortom of Benue, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia.
According to Naijapunchnews, the high-profile gathering took place behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and has since generated a flurry of speculation regarding its purpose. As of press time, no official statement has been released by the presidency or any of the attendees about the meeting's agenda.
A source privy to the development told Daily Post that the participants despite their affiliation with the opposition PDP are known to have shown varying degrees of support for President Tinubu’s administration, both publicly and privately.
“President Tinubu hosted a meeting at the Villa attended by former Governor Ayodele Fayose, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and ex-governors Samuel Ortom and Okezie Ikpeazu. They discussed matters in a discreet session,” the source revealed.
Fayose’s Recent Visit Signals Support
The meeting comes just a few days after former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, visited President Tinubu at his Lagos residence during the Sallah festivities on June 9. During that visit, Fayose told journalists that he had come to show moral support to the President in light of the country's mounting economic and governance challenges.
“I came to encourage the President and reaffirm my support for his leadership. Leading a nation like Nigeria is no small task, and he deserves the cooperation of all well-meaning citizens, regardless of party lines,” Fayose stated.
He also praised Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to stabilize the country’s economy and navigate pressing national issues, signaling a continued personal alignment with the President's governance style even as a prominent PDP member.
Signs of Political Realignment?
The presence of these PDP heavyweights at the Presidential Villa has fueled speculation of a deeper political realignment in the works. Nyesom Wike, despite his ministerial role under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, remains a card-carrying PDP member and has maintained close ties with some factions within the opposition.
Observers note that the inclusion of Ortom and Ikpeazu two influential figures in their respective regions further indicates a potential strategy by the Tinubu administration to consolidate cross-party support ahead of future political contests, possibly even the 2027 general elections.
While the exact nature of the discussions remains under wraps, the timing and participants of the meeting suggest a growing effort by President Tinubu to bridge partisan divides and shore up political alliances across Nigeria’s fractured landscape.
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