There are strong indications from top leaders of the People’s Democratic, PDP, that the London meeting between the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, may have agreed that the PDP chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, should resign his appointment. This had been one of the key demands from the Wike group.
In attendance at the meeting with Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom were Governors Seyi Makinde, Simon Ortom, and Okezie Ikpeazu.
The Wike group demanded for key ministerial portfolios for its members but the position of Atiku on these demands could not be confirmed.
The Wike group also demanded that the successor to Iyorchia Ayu should be from the South-West. These demands did not go down well with members of the Atiku group, this may further lead to an impasse on the relative peace that the London meeting between Atiku and Wike achieved.
Notwithstanding, sources within the PDP leadership hierarchy, says that Atiku may finally bow to the demand of the Wike group for Iyorchia Ayu to step down from office and for the Wike group to produce his successor. Also, party sources could not confirm if Atiku signed an agreement to serve one term as demanded by the Wike group.
There were mixed reactions from members of the Atiku and Wike groups on the meeting of Atiku and Wike but there was a general consensus that the meeting provided a road map to settle the lingering crisis between Atiku and Wike. Both groups are expected to build on the gains of the London meeting, with a view to clear obstacles holding back the inauguration of the PDP presidential campaign commission. Wike is expected to provide logistic support to the PDP presidential campaign commission when it is set up.