Since the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to pick Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate, ignoring a selection committee that had recommended Governor Nyesom Wike, the main opposition party has been thrown into crisis.
Supporters of Wike, Governor of Rivers state are now resolute in their determination to remove the National Chairman of the Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu before they can back the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Working Committee (NWC) would meet today, and reconciliation of aggrieved party members will be at the top of the agenda.
It was gathered that the loyalists of the Rivers State governor have insisted on the demands laid before the party’s leadership for peace.
According to reliable sources, Atiku Abubakar may have to sacrifice the PDP chairman if the Wike camp refuses to shift ground on their demand because of the caliber of individuals backing the Rivers Governor.
A PDP governor in Wike’s camp maintained that Senator Ayu must honour the pact he had with them before he emerged as national chairman.
He said the Rivers state governor’s loyalists already laid their demands before the BoT and the first condition for peace is that the national chairman must step down.
While he promised that Wike’s supporters will remain in PDP and work for its success, they cannot campaign alongside Ayu.
He further disclosed that aside praising Aminu Tambuwal as the game changer for stepping down for Atiku at the presidential primaries, Ayu allegedly played partisan role in scheming out Wike as the vice-presidential candidate.
The governor also slammed the former Vice President for granting an interview to Arise Television, which has now escalated tension in the main opposition party.
He berated Atiku Abubakar for stating during the said interview that Ayu can only step down as national chairman if he wins the presidential election.
He insisted Ayu had breached the agreement they had before the national convention where he (Ayu) was elected the national chairman.
(c) Globetelly
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