The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has shown no sign of abating as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his allies on Sunday shunned the South-South Zonal Leadership Meeting of the party.
The New Diplomat gathered that Wike and some of his allies that are sympathetic to his cause were absent at the meeting held at the Ibom Hall, IBB Way, Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital.
Those present at the meeting include the Vice-Presidential candidate and governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, Senator George Sekibo, Rivers East Senator, Senator Lee Maeba among others.
At the meeting held on Sunday, Wike and his allies were conspicuously missing as the opposition party finetuned plans ahead of the official kick-off of the presidential campaign in Akwa Ibom State today.
This has been interpreted in many quarters that the Wike and his allies may be boycotting the flag-off of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign taking place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State today.
It would be recalled that Wike and his allies dubbed the G-5 including Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) have remained resolute in their demands that the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, must vacate office for the position to move to the South which will, in turn, pave the way for genuine reconciliation to take place.
The crisis began as a fallout of political disagreements that ensued before and after the presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s flagbearer.
Atiku from the northern part of the country had defeated other aspirants, including Wike and instead of choosing the latter as his running mate as recommended by a selection committee, the Adamawa-born politician and business magnate opted for the Governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa.
The party, hence, became fragmented with Wike leading some governors and other leaders to call for the resignation of the Ayu, who is also from the North.
Wike camp’s grouse stemmed from the perceived injustice that the National Chairman and presidential candidate are from the same area of the country.
