PDP Crisis Deepens: Atiku loyalists dare Wike, Ortom, Makinde, Ugwuanyi

Contrary to the decision of pro-Wike governors not to identify with the presidential campaign of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, many stalwarts in their states are mobilizing for their presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The party faithful, whose positions are not going down well with their governors, have started setting up pro-Atiku structures to be used in campaigning for the former number two-man and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Their decision, Sunday Vanguard learned, was informed by factors which mainly include post and pre-primaries intra-party crises and fear of losing House of Assembly, Senate and House of Representatives elections in 2023.

In Rivers, Benue, Abia, Oyo and Enugu findings by Sunday Vanguard show that Governors Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom, Seyi Makinde, Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi respectively are making real their threat of not identifying with Atiku’s campaign as they haven’t put any structure on the ground to that effect.

However, several party chieftains are already working for Atiku and Okowa despite the opposition of the state governors.

Some of the chieftains, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, said they were already putting together Presidential Election Campaign Councils in their respective states regardless of the position of their governors who have vowed not to campaign for Atiku.

The governors, led by Wike, had said until the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, steps down, they won’t support Atiku for President.

They had together and individually, at several fora, said Ayu must resign for a southerner to emerge as Chairman.

The five governors carried out their threat with the boycott of the inauguration of PDP Presidential Campaign in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

him there is no problem, they can win without Wike and other governors.

As a man who has been in politics for so long, he knows politics is a game of numbers. And every state counts in this game, especially now that votes will count because of the new electoral law.

‘’I want to plead with Atiku to review the demands of the five governors. We shouldn’t take their agitation for granted for it could lead to unimaginable harm. And our chances of winning next year’s election may be affected greatly.

“If truly he is coming to unify Nigeria and listen to various agitations, Atiku should do everything possible to unify the party.

“Atiku should address all the various agitations to show Nigerians what he is coming to do as a unifier. The party chairman should keep his promise of resigning if a northern presidential candidate emerged.”

GOGAN TV