**As opposition party chieftains pledge support
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
President Bola Tinubu on Friday met behind closed doors with three key members of the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), incumbent governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde and the immediate
former governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike as well as Chief James Onanefe Ibori, one-time governor of Delta state at Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This is even as both Makinde and Wike have expressed their unflinching support for Tinubu on vexed issue of petrol subsidy removal which has triggered uproar in the country following the jerking up of petrol pump price from N194 to N537 per litre in Abuja and more across Nigeria.
They have called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu on the decision of government to end the subsidy regime in the country.
Makinde who spoke to State House Correspondents after they emerged from the closed doors meeting with Tinubu alongside Wike and Ibori said the trio had visited the President “to let him know that he has started well and he has the support of the generality of the people”.
Asked if they discussed the petrol subsidy removal matter with Tinubu, he said “yes, we discussed it. It’s something that is on top of public discuss right now. We know it’s a tough decision for the people and he needs the support of everybody to see this through”.
Also speaking to reporters, ex-governor Wike said they were in the Villa to show President Tinubu their support, adding that they are in support of his decisions so far, which he said had shown that he was prepared for the job.
“There’s no big deal about it, the governor of Oyo has told you what we came to do; to give him support. We are supporting all the decisions he’s taking, it shows that he’s prepared for the job and there’s nothing bad about that. It requires tough decisions for a country to move forward”, Wike said.
The trio of Makinde, Wike, and Ibori who arrived the Presidential Villa, Abuja at about 4:25 pm, just as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Holding Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who had been to the President’s office, was walking out of the door.
Prompt News reports that both Gov. Makinde and former governor Wike are considered to be allies of President Tinubu and believed to play supporting roles in his election during the February 29, 2023 election.
Meanwhile, other dignitaries also sighted at Presidential Villa Abuja on courtesy visit to the President on Friday, were the immediate past governors of Kano and Ebonyi states, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Chief David Umahi, respectively.
