BY IKECHUKWU AGADA (9NEWS NIGERIA)
The festering crisis in PDP occasioned by post-primary turmoil is far from over.
As a condition for peace, the administration of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike is calling for the immediate resignation of National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu.
It comes after presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar made overtures to the resentful governor.
The presidential contender maintained that the chairman should continue in his position so that he can oversee his campaign for the election of next year, after which he will resign.
Party leaders are pleading with Wike to embrace reconciliation and back Atiku in order to end the conflict.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki is leading some party officials in urging Wike to back the presidential candidate in order to avoid losing the pivotal states.
However, Wike and his advisors have persisted in their demand that Ayu must resign.
They insisted that Atiku should keep his promise that a Southerner would lead the party once the PDP’s presidential candidate emerged from the North.
The team of Atiku, however, asserted that Ayu may only resign after the election.
According to sources, PDP leaders are concerned that if their party loses key states like Rivers, Lagos, and Kano, the 2023 election may not be theirs to win.
Saraki, a few former governors, former ministers, and other leaders are reportedly advocating for Atiku.
Despite reports that Atiku was open to reconciliation, the leaders have been concerned that it would be preferable to start fresh negotiations with Wike.
Because of Wike’s increasing power over the party and the SouthSouth, they believed it would be risky to play about with him.
According to a source, party leaders are worried since the party is swaying. Now divided is the National Working Committee (NWC).
“Some governors, ex-governors, former ministers, and party founding members—including former National Security Adviser Gen. Aliyu Gusau, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Douye Diri, and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, as well as ex-governors Henry Seriake Dickson, Sule Lamido, Babangida Aliyu, Boni Haruna, and some groups of influential leaders are however disposed to talks with Wike’s camp.
In addition to previous governors Hassan Dankwambo, Ayodele Fayose, and Donald Duke, as well as numerous senators and members of the House of Representatives, they also include governors Seyi Makinde and Samuel Ortom.
“A former president of the Senate, some ex-ministers, and party officials are attempting to mend fences because they are disturbed by the rift, which is particularly threatening to the PDP’s chances in swing areas like Kano, Lagos, and Rivers states. The former Senate President is currently in charge of advocating for new negotiations between Atiku and Wike.
Even though Wike has cut off communication with Atiku, the former Senate President is confident that PDP leaders would bond together.
Wike was upset with Atiku, according to a source in his camp, who provided more insight.
According to the source, Atiku is unable to characterize Wike as being unqualified to serve as a vice presidential candidate or a burden on his agenda.
The source stated: “Given the current course of events, Nigerians will soon learn the truth. Wike is a dedicated and devoted party leader. When some leaders abandoned the PDP, he stood by it.
“Wike was suggested by a committee as the party’s vice presidential candidate, but some elements in the party rejected the report without consulting one another.
They invented ludicrous justifications based on their temperament, ambition, and overzealousness. Wike is helpful when it comes to particular difficulties.
“However, it has thrilled some party leaders to wish him goodbye as a nobody. They came up with absurd justifications.
Additionally, the fact that no mutual agreements made with Atiku were honored—including the one made at their meeting after the presidential primaries—hurts the Rivers State governor and his advisers. A few concerns came up when Atiku visited Wike in Abuja.
“The party’s next development involved individuals like former governor Babangida Aliyu opposing Wike. Esau’s hand and Jacob’s voice were used.
The insider continued, “Wike is prepared to draw the battle line at any time because Atiku’s camp has been uncooperative, particularly about a minimum requirement.
“It was decided that Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s national chairman, would resign once a presidential candidate from the North entered the race.
“You can only imagine what will happen after the PDP wins the election in 2023, if leaders of the party cannot meet a minimum standard.”
A insider in Atiku’s team stated: “Asking Ayu to resign is strategically foolish because Atiku has not yet won the election. Our candidate firmly believes in North-South unification.
9news Nigeria
