Babachir Lawal, Dogara Hold Meeting With Wike In Port Harcourt, After Meeting Ortom
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal and 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogar earlier today held a meeting with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at his country home in Port Harcourt.
The duo only yesterday held a similar meeting with the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom in Makurdi, Benue State. Governor Ortom and Wike are members of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Meanwhile, Lawal and Dogara, two top-notch members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) say they are on a brotherly visit as part of the agenda-setting to build an all-inclusive Nigeria.
After the meeting, Lawal said they had just fulfilled a biblical injunction to visit one another.
“We came to visit our brother,” he said. “He is our brother and now and then the Bible enjoins you to visit one another. That’s what we have just done.”
Dogara said Wike is an indispensable politician that fits into their aspiration to build an inclusive Nigeria.
“Everyone agrees with us that Governor Wike is one of those indispensable political leaders,” Dogara said. “And for us, it is a search to build an all-inclusive Nigeria. So we feel that as part of the agenda-setting, we should meet with him and that’s the reason why we are here.”
Political observers are of the view that the visits may be more than just “brotherly visits”. Dogara and Lawal have in recent days been critical of the choice of a Muslim running mate to the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A few days ago, the duo spearheaded a Northern Christian gathering to formally reject the Muslim-Muslim ticket of their party.
Governor Wike on Friday, on arrival from Spain, also criticised the presidential candidate of his party, Atiku Abubakar, although he vowed to remain in the PDP.
It is though unclear what the party men have up their sleeves, but observers believe whatever it is may be inimical to the interest of their parties.
