PDP Crisis: Wike’s Loyalists Demand Ayu’s Resignation; Saraki, ex-Govs To The Rescue

The post-primary crisis bedeviling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shows no sign of abating as emerging reports suggest that some loyalists of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state have demanded for the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu from the position of the National Chairman of the party.

It was learnt that the camp of the Rivers state governor is demanding for the resignation of Ayu as a condition to settle the crisis in the party.

The PDP has been witnessing an internal crisis following the conclusion of its presidential primary election. Wike who was a presidential aspirant of the party lost out to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Shortly after, Atiku ignored Wike to choose Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate. The choice was against the position of the majority of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party who had endorsed Wike.

As part of the conditions to resolve the crisis, it was learnt that the loyalists of Wike demanded that Ayu must quit his position.

They maintained that Atiku should honour his promise that once the PDP presidential candidate emerges from the North, a Southerner will lead the party.

Ayu hails from Benue state in the North Central region of the country. The loyalists of the governor were said to have argued that the presidential candidate and the national chairman of the party cannot come from the North.

However, Atiku’s camp was said to have rejected the argument, saying the chairman should remain in office to lead the campaign for next year’s election after which he would quit.

Speaking with the members of the press on the situation, a member of the party who craved anonymity said some chieftains of the party are worried that the party may not be able to win the 2023 poll if it loses swing states like Rivers, Lagos and Kano.

Also, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, some ex-governors and former ministers are said to have opened fresh talks with Atiku and Wike.

Although Atiku was said to be amenable to reconciliation, the leaders have been worried that it was better to open fresh talks with Wike.

They felt it will be dangerous to toy with Wike because of his great influence on the party and the South-south.

“The party is drifting and party leaders are concerned. The National Working Committee (NWC) is divided now.

“Some governors, ex-governors, ex-ministers and founding fathers of the party like a former National Security Adviser Gen. Aliyu Gusau, ex-President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Douye Diri and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, ex-Governors Henry Seriake Dickson, Sule Lamido, Babangida Aliyu, Boni Haruna and others are with Atiku.

“But from Wike’s camp, a new set of power brokers is emerging. They include Governors Seyi Makinde and Samuel Ortom, ex-governor Hassan Dankwambo, Ayodele Fayose and Donald Duke, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), many senators and members of the House of Representatives.

“Disturbed by the division, especially threat to PDP chances in swing states like Kano, Lagos and Rivers states, a former President of the Senate, some ex-ministers and leaders of the party are trying to make amend. The former Senate President, now leading lobbying for fresh talks between Atiku and Wike.

“In spite of the fact that Wike has made himself incommunicado to Atiku, the ex-Senate President is optimistic that PDP leaders will close ranks,” the source was quoted to have said.