PDP crisis: Wike’s group issues a list of demands as elders gather

By Adeleye Kunle

The Peoples Democratic Party’s Boad of Trustees, BoT, and National Working Committee, NWC, have stepped in to address the lingering crisis between its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and supporters of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in order for the party to approach the 2023 general elections with a united front.

The party’s two organs will meet tomorrow.

Following a meeting with Wike on Sunday, state co-ordinators of the Wike Presidential Campaign Council resolved, among other things, to remain in the PDP.

According to Track News, they have hammered out a list of truce demands that they will present to Atiku Abubakar in the presence of PDP leaders.

According to sources, the demands include getting Abubakar to agree to serve only one term if elected; asking Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, National Chairman of the PDP, to resign as chairman to allow a Southerner to take over in accordance with the North-South power sharing formula because the presidential candidate is from the North; and headship of the Senate and House of Representatives, among others.

‘Minimum requirements’

They also agreed to impose “irreducible minimum” conditions if the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the party leadership approached them for a truce.

Tracknews gathered in Abuja yesterday that the members of the council, particularly governors, agreed that Wike deserves better treatment after reviewing events in the party since the PDP presidential primary and the selection of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate.

‘I’m not leaving PDP.’

They did, however, note that, while they were hurt, and rightly so, their individual and collective interests would be better served within the party.

“A date for the meeting (between the party leadership and Wike) has not yet been agreed upon,” said a source familiar with the development who spoke on the condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardize ongoing reconciliation efforts. Wike has been deafeningly quiet since the beginning of this ordeal. We anticipate an end to the insults heaped on him by some party leaders. He deserves respect, and to disrespect him is to say we don’t matter anymore.

“All party members who supported Governor Wike’s presidential aspiration are looking forward to the meeting between the party, the presidential aspirant, and him.” It hasn’t made the front pages of any newspapers, and no one has approached him for a face-to-face meeting.

“He (Wike) is upset, as are we all. However, we are not opposed to resolving all outstanding issues peacefully. As a group, we are looking forward to the presidential candidate’s commitment, with the party’s leadership serving as witnesses.

“When our party wins in 2023, it will not be too difficult for us to produce the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, either the Senate Presidency or the Speakership, as well as some ministerial and parastatal slots.”

“We will also expect Atiku and his supporters to make us offers to consider moving forward.” We’re party people, and we deserve to be carried along.”

The Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee, NWC, was also said to be meeting in a secret location in Abuja yesterday, ahead of a formal meeting at the party secretariat on Wednesday (tomorrow).

The PDP’s problem is not as severe as the APC’s Muslim-Muslim conflict — Walid Jibrin

In a related development, Senator Walid Jibrin, chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, expressed confidence that all outstanding issues will be resolved sooner rather than later.

Jibrin expressed concern in an Abuja statement that some party members are still upset about the long-ago presidential primaries and the selection of Okowa as running mate.

“I want to assure everyone that all plans are in place to bring all members together as one and united, as what is happening in the PDP can never be compared to the situation in the All Progressives Congress, APC, especially their plans in trying to bring Muslim-Muslim president and vice president religious issues,” he said. I’ve also noticed that some groups are forming to try to solve the problems.”

The chairman of the Board of Trustees praised the efforts of some PDP leaders, including former governors and ministers, who have been working behind the scenes to ensure the PDP emerges stronger.

He stated that the Sunday meeting of some governors and party leaders at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge was part of such efforts.

“The goal of the group is to reconcile aggrieved (members), particularly Wike,” he says.

Interestingly, the BoT, the party’s highest advisory body and conscience, is meeting on Wednesday, August 3 to discuss the issues and make strong recommendations to the special committee for the special reconciliation of aggrieved members, particularly Governor Wike.

“Following the BoT meeting, we will meet with Wike and all disgruntled members, as well as all past presidential aspirants.” As Chairman of the BoT, my hope is that the PDP will remain strong and win all elections in 2023.

On Sunday, Wike held a meeting with his campaign co-ordinators at his official residence in Abuja.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State were among those present.

Others included former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, former Benue State Governor Senator Gabriel Suswam, former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, former Kogi State Governor Ibrahim Idris, and former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang.

Others include former PDP Deputy National Vice-Chairman for North, Senator Suleiman Nazif, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, and Tajudeen Yusuf, a member of the Kogi State House of Representatives.

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