Despite the vote of confidence passes on the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, by the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, on Thursday, there are no signs of peace.
PDP Governors seemed to have drawn the battle line by showing where their loyalty belong in the face-off between the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
A source within the party said that the decision of the NEC to endorse Ayu’s continuation in office has further deepened the crisis. “Despite the concessions made by Atiku’s group, Wike’s camp has remained adamant on Ayu’s exit and the NEC meeting on Thursday foreclosed reconciliation.”
“Our governors are now in four camps. Some are for Ayu, others for Wike, the so-called neutral group and some on a spying mission.
“To preserve the unity of the party, Senator Walid Jubril, who had three months left in office, was asked to step aside as the chairman of PDP’s Board of Trustees (BOT).
“To sack Ayu was an impossible task because the founders of PDP have stood by him. They believe that Wike as an individual is not greater than the party,
“These leaders also do not joke with party discipline. Most of them were angry that Wike was riding the party roughshod.”
Although Ortom is presently in the United States, it is unclear where his loyalty is between Wike’s camp and Atiku’s group. Ortom is contesting for a senatorial seat in the 2023 elections.
Ayu has approached the acting chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, to seek his assistance to reach out to Wike and other members of his group that are aggrieved to make peace with Atiku. He said yesterday that the PDP NWC would be meeting next week with Governor Wike and other aggrieved members of the party. “I want to also reveal to you that the NWC under the leadership of the Deputy National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagun, will be going to visit not only Governor Wike but every other person who is aggrieved.” Ayu added, “It is the unanimous decision of the NWC and we think that your leading the fight for peace and full reconciliation in the party will be helpful.”
A Source say Atiku should lead peace and reconciliation talks with Wike, rather than send people who are perceived to have taken sides on the face off between him and Wike.
The source said, “Wike’s camp may reject campaign directorate offers from Atiku unless Ayu is removed.”