Former Bayelsa State Governor and founder of National Democratic Congress NDC, Seriake Dickson, have been alleged to have met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday alongside the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, in a closed door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Details of the alleged discussion have not been disclosed.
However, a source said the alleged meeting may not be unconnected with reported plans by former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor and NNPP 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to defect to the NDC ahead of 2027.
The source, who requested anonymity, said Dickson and Pate were the last persons the President met before departing the country later on Sunday.
Dickson, a chieftain of NDC, and Pate, a minister in Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress, APC, administration, have not publicly commented on the meeting.
It could not be confirmed if the meeting was in connection to the legal dispute over the registration of the NDC by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The electoral body is being accused of procedural irregularities in approving the official recognition granted the NDC.
Dr Umar Ardo had instituted a matter against INEC alleging that certain established guidelines were breached in the process of the registration of NDC.
The closed door engagement said to have been held in the Presidential Villa came amid heightened realignment talks among opposition figures and reports that Obi and Kwankwaso are exploring a joint ticket under the National Democratic Congress, NDC.
