PDP summons emergency meeting; persuades Wike group

An emergency meeting of the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is planned for Thursday to take a decision on the resolve of the group loyal to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike to pull out of the party’s presidential campaign.

On Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the group, which include Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, his Oyo State counterpart Seyi Makinde, former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George and former minister, Prof. Jerry Gana insisted that they would remain on their ground the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu is removed.

But the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar responded by saying that the decision to quit the party leadership is personal. In effect, only Ayu – and no other person – can make that decision.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Debo Ologunagba confirmed to The PUNCH on Wednesday that the party had been meeting since Wike’s camp announced their withdrawal from the campaign council, adding that the National Working Committee would announce their decision on Thursday.

“As a party, we need to take a firm position to rebuild and rebrand our party. We have been in a marathon meeting since morning (Wednesday). But one thing is clear, no one has rejected our presidential candidate; that is very important. The meeting will continue tomorrow (today) and after the meeting, we will make our position clear”,’ he stated.

But the Wike camp insisted that only the removal of Ayu would make them rescind their decision.

However, a member of PDP’s National Executive Committee, Chief Olisa Metuh said Atiku would go on with the campaigns even as he berated George, a member of Wike’s camp, for his “hatred for Atiku.”

He told The PUNCH: “Bode George has consistently advocated for the South but Nigeria is made up of the South and North. He has also been consistent in his hatred for Atiku.

“Atiku will go on with the campaigns because not doing so would be a victory for those who don’t want him to succeed. Truth is, Atiku has no power to remove Ayu”.’

Dismissing the Wike’s camp’s demands, a member of the PDP National Working Committee, Timothy Osadolor carpeted the Rivers governor for allegedly holding on to his grudges for too long, warning that his ego might be his undoing.

Osadolor said the call for Ayu’s sacking was a plot to sabotage the party’s chances in the 2023 elections.

He stated: “The situation is being taken too far; Wike is crying too much for a matured person. I don’t know why Wike with all the experiences he had achieved in life cannot get over the loss of the primary. Ego is good but ego to some candidates can lead to destruction”.

The NWC member further stated: “Why did you want to bring down the house because of your interest? Calling for the sacking of Iyorchia Ayu and supporters at his whims is not possible which he knows is not possible at this time which is not even what he wants.

“I believe calling for the sacking of Iyorchia Ayu is to sabotage the general elections and I believe he is already manifesting in his actions”.

Credit: The PUNCH