Wike reveals that Tinubu offered him senatorial ticket in exchange for his support at London meeting

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has revealed that All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket Asiwaju Bola Tinubu offered him a senatorial ticket in exchange for his support when the two of them met in London recently.

In late June, the PDP elected former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its flagbearer for next year's presidential election at its annual convention. Governor Wike was a candidate in that election but he was beaten into second place and to make matters worse for him, he was not then picked as the party's running mate.

With Alhaji Abubakar opting to pick Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate, Governor Wike has been on the war path and there are now fears that he will dump the PDP. Among other things, he has been fraternizing with members of the ruling APC  lately, amid talk of him possibly decamping.

With the party deeply divided, the Atiku camp has begun making overtures to Governor Wike but it appears that he is still very aggrieved. In August 23, Governor Wike met with Asiwaju Tinubu, sparking fears that he may abandon his PDP and back the APC in next year's elections.

This morning, Governor Wike revealed that during their London meeting, Asiwaju Tinubu offered him a senatorial ticket. However, he said he rejected the offer as he contested the presidential primaries because he wanted to be the candidate and he did not buy a senatorial form because he had no plans to go to the senate.

Governor Wike added: “I didn’t contest so I can become a vice presidential candidate. I am not like others who were not serious and bought senatorial form alongside presidential form and that’s why when Tinubu offered me senate slot, I didn’t go for it.”