All is set for the country’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to officially kick start its presidential campaign ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
The presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar had arrived in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, in the late hours of Sunday ahead of the campaign flag-off.
The New Diplomat gathered that the official flag-off ceremony will hold at the Nest of Champions Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Though the opposition party will commence its presidential campaign activities today, it is unclear if Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, alongside his allies will participate in the activities.
Wike had fallen out with some stakeholders in the party, particularly with the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu as called for the resignation of Ayu on the grounds that the North cannot hold both the presidential ticket and the National chairmanship postion of the party a the same time.
Over time, the crisis became protracted as some Southern chieftains of the party including Chief Bode George pulled out of the campaign Council of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku.
The Southern chieftains of the party arriving from a meeting which held in Port Harcourt vowed not to play any role in Atiku’s campaign ahead of the 2023 general elections unless Ayu resigns from his position as the National chairman of the party.
However, a member of the PDP who pleaded for anonymity revealed that Atiku has decided to move on with or without the involvement of Wike and his allies.
The source while speaking with the members of the press said the party will not allow Wike jeopardise their chances in the forthcoming presidential election.
“Let me tell you the honest truth. As far as the Wike matter is concerned there is an overwhelming sentiment that the campaign has moved on.
“So, if Wike or anyone in his camp shows the readiness of coming in, they will be accommodated but nobody is waiting for them again because they are not important enough to hurt the process. That is the honest, overwhelming impression,” the source was quoted as saying.
