Wike’s Camp Insist On ‘Ayu Must Go’ Condition To ack Atiku
Ayu
The crisis trailing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election continues as the camp of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike is seeking the immediate resignation of National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu as a condition for peace.
It follows overtures to the aggrieved governor by presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
However, the presidential candidate insisted that the chairman should remain in office to lead his campaign for next year’s election after which he will quit.
To resolve the crisis, party bigwigs are lobbying Wike to embrace reconciliation and support Atiku.
To avert losing the swing states, former Senate President Bukola Saraki is leading some party leaders to lobby Wike to support the presidential candidate.
Wike and his strategists have, however, insisted on their demand that Ayu must quit.
They maintained that Atiku should honour his promise that once the PDP presidential candidate emerges from the North, a Southerner will lead the party.
But Atiku’s camp claimed that Ayu can only step aside after the election.
Sources said PDP leaders are worried that the party may not be able to win the 2023 poll if it loses swing states like Rivers, Lagos and Kano.
It was gathered that Saraki, some ex-governors, former ministers and other leaders are lobbying for Atiku.
Although Atiku was said to be amenable to reconciliation, the leaders have been worried that it was better to open fresh talks with Wike.
They felt it will be dangerous to toy with Wike because of his greater influence on the party and the Southsouth.
Related: Atiku Raises Team To Woo Wike, Rivers Gov’s Camp Adamant
A source said: “The party is drifting and party leaders are concerned. The National Working Committee (NWC) is divided now.
“Some governors, ex-governors, ex-ministers and founding fathers of the party like a former National Security Adviser Gen. Aliyu Gusau, ex-President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Douye Diri and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, ex-Governors Henry Seriake Dickson, Sule Lamido, Babangida Aliyu, Boni Haruna and others are with Atiku.
“But from Wike’s camp, a new set of power brokers is emerging. They include Governors Seyi Makinde and Samuel Ortom, ex-governor Hassan Dankwambo, Ayodele Fayose and Donald Duke, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), many senators and members of the House of Representatives.
“Disturbed by the division, especially threat to PDP chances in swing states like Kano, Lagos and Rivers states, a former President of the Senate, some ex-ministers and leaders of the party are trying to make amend. The former Senate President, now leading lobbying for fresh talks between Atiku and Wike.