Wike’s supporters demand Ayu’s resignation as condition to back Atiku

The supporters of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, have called for the immediate resignation of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, as a condition to end the crisis rocking the party.

The supporters of the governor stressed that the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, must honour his promise that once the party’s presidential standard-bearer emerges from the North, a Southerner will be the national chairman.

However, it was gathered that Atiku insisted that Ayu should remain in office to lead his campaign for the 2023 presidential election after which he will quit.

The crisis rocking the main opposition party ahead of the 2023 general election got heightened after Atiku named Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.

Many had expected Wike, who came second in the party’s presidential primaries, to be chosen as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

The Star recalls that Atiku polled 371 to defeat Wike, who garnered 237 votes.

The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) later nominated three names that included Okowa, Wike, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, to Atiku for the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

Atiku, however, picked Governor Okowa as his running mate for the 2023 general election.

The PDP presidential candidate subsequently vowed to unite all the aggrieved members of the party.

To resolve the crisis, party bigwigs have since been lobbying Wike to embrace reconciliation and support Atiku.

To avert losing the swing states like Rivers and Kano, it was gathered that former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is leading some party leaders to lobby Wike to support the party’s presidential candidate.

READ ALSO: Atiku: I’ll unite all aggrieved PDP members

Sources disclosed that PDP leaders are worried that the party may not be able to win the 2023 poll if it loses the swing states.

A source revealed: “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.

“In spite of the fact that Wike has made himself incommunicado to Atiku, the ex-Senate President is optimistic that PDP leaders will close ranks,” The Nation quoted the source as saying.

The source further stated: “Wike is ready to draw the battle lines any moment from now because Atiku’s camp has not been forthcoming, especially on a minimum demand.

“It was agreed that once a presidential candidate comes from the North, the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, will step down.

“If PDP leaders cannot comply with a minimum threshold, you can imagine what will happen after the party wins the 2023 poll.”

The Star