There are strong indications that the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, may set up its presidential campaign commission without the support of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. Atiku had set up a 7-man team, led by Taraba State governor, Fintiri, to hold peace and reconciliation talks with Governor Wike and his group.
The Wike group is led by former Minister of information, Professor Jerry Gana. The two groups met last week but were not able to reach an agreement. Wike has insisted that the party’s chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, should resign his appointment and Atiku should put in writing an agreement that he will serve for one term as president. However, feelers from the Atiku camp reveal that Atiku has rejected the demands of the Wike group.
Stakeholders of the PDP in Rivers State have alleged that governor Wike is becoming dictatorial, harassing perceived party members and threatening to expel them from the party.
Members of the Wike group have denied these allegations, insisting that the Rivers PDP is intact.
However, there are strong indications that the Atiku group may call the bluff of Wike by setting up the PDP’s presidential campaign committee without Wike. The group intends to work with local party members of the Rivers PDP due to the lingering face-off with Wike. Political watchers are of the opinion that the move may backfire on Atiku’s presidential ambition in the 2023 presidential election.
However, Taraba State governor, Fintiri, has assured members of the PDP and Nigerians that the rift between Atiku and Wike will be resolved before the INEC blows the whistle to political parties to start political campaigns in September.
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