PDP CRISIS: There are signs that the hopes of resolving the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be fading as indications are beginning to merge that the rift between Wike and Atiku is getting deeper, and the aggrieved PDP big wigs are moving closer to collaborating with Peter Obi`s Labour Party and Bola Tinibu`s APC, Clariform has learnt.
WHAT WE KNOW
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis may be heading to a new troubling dimension for the party at time that they need every hand on deck to guarantee success in the 2023 elections.
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the party recently inaugurated a reconciliation committee lead by the governor of his state of Adamawa, Governor Fintiri, but this does seem to be heading to any success, going by recent utterances of some party chieftains.
There are rumours of a meeting in London between Bola Tinubu, the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate and the aggrieved PDP big wigs led by Nyesom Wike.
In the said meeting were reportedly Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, and other PDP chieftains who share Wike`s grievances with the situation of things in the party, Vanguard has reported.
In related development, the former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido on Tuesday made some reproachful comments about the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who is currently locking horns with Atiku Abubakar.
Sule Lamido said categorically that the PDP should ignore Wike and move on, noting that the Rivers State governor does not have a monopoly over the Rivers electorate.
The former Jigawa State governor made these comments in a life television programs monitored by Clariform reporter on Tuesday night.
While speaking on Channels Politics Today program, Sule Lamido said “we should forget about Wike”, as he “does not have a monopoly over the people” and does not have the political weight he thinks he has.
These warring comments from the party chieftain comes amid the crisis troubling the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is looking to dislodge the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) from power.
Former governor Lamido was unapologetic in his dismissal of Nyesom Wike, stating category that PDP does not need Wike to win the 2023 elections, not even in his Rivers State dormian where he said that Wike does not have monopoly over the people.
NOTABLE QUOTES
Sule Lamido while speaking on Channels TV said, “Wike is an individual, I don’t think because he is a governor there he has control and monopoly over the peoples of Rivers,” he said.
“He hasn’t got it. Rivers people are also PDP in their own right. They were there in 1999 when he joined. They were there when he was council chairman.
“Therefore, because he’s a governor, he now thinks he is their emperor, it can’t work. There is a Wike in every part of Nigeria who is a governor.
“Leave Wike alone. He has the right to do whatever he wants. He can give order to people in Rivers who are enslaved to him. But right now if you go to Rivers, they are contesting for the governorship seat there, it was Wike who imposed the current candidate and nobody questioned that.”
FLASHBACK
Clariform reports that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is from the Northern political block of the party who has emerged as the presidential candidate of the PDP at the party’s Abuja convention, after beating other contenders.
This was following a rancorous clamour for the Peoples Democratic Party to feature a Southerner as their presidential flagbearer in line with the party`s agreed zooning formula.
Following the emergence of a Northerner, the call for the National Chairman who is also from the North to resign has become louder in the party, but this call is still been resisted by Senator Ayu.
Ayo`s resignation as Clariform have learnt is a condition precedent demanded by the group led by the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike for the resolution of their rift with Atiku Abubakar.
However, the party Chairman has indicated clearly that he has no plan to resign his position. This was made in a statement by Mr Simon Imobo-Tswana, Senator Ayo`s Special Adviser on Media and Communication.
“We restate, therefore, that the PDP National Chairman has not resigned and has no plan of resigning. For clarity and emphasis, he was elected for a tenure of four years.
“Sections 45 and 47 of the PDP Constitution are clear on the removal and/or resignation of the National Chairman.
“Those who don’t know this should get copies of the party’s Constitution for more information on the matter.
“PDP members and the general public are advised to ignore any story of such a phantom resignation,” he said.
Also, a reliable source familiar with the happenings within the PDP told Clariform reporter that the rift between Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate is fast tracking a decision by some displeased party big wigs to consider the option of supporting the candidacy of Peter Obi of the Labour Party
. The source said that “Obi is no doubt a winning formula.”
“He is the candidate to beat in this election, especially with additional support from some grassroot politicians. We have seen the handwriting on the wall and we are working on the best approach to herness his potentials. In fact it was a mistake not to have rallied round him to gun for the PDP ticket in the first place. Most of us are regretting things now”, he added.
NEWS ANALYSIS
Clariform investigations have revealed that the crisis in PDP has deepened greatly following the way and manner Atiku went about the choice of his running mate after his alliance with Governor Tambuwal led to the defeat of Governor Wike at the PDP primary.
Atiku went further to chose Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State over Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who was the popular choice of the PDP chieftains for the position of the PDP/Atiku`s running mate.
A reading of the political heartbeat of the country cannot discountenance the weight that Nyesom Wike carries in the scheme of things, both within and outside the PDP. Mr Wike is believed to be key for the success of PDP in the 2023 presidential poll.
In any case, there are some people who are happy with the events going on in the PDP, especially those who are set to benefit directly from it. The ruling APC for instance have been inching closer to Wike since the disagreements with the PDP flagbearer.
Recently, governor Wike has invited and hosted two prominent members of the APC for the commissioning of projects in Rivers State.
The current governor of Lagos state – Governor Sanwo Olu, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives who are both members of the APC have recently commissioned Governor Wike`s projects in Rivers State.
Also, the reigning popularity of Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate is another factor in the equation. This was subtly mentioned by Sam Ohuabunwa during the life interview, when he made reference to “the rising of the third force”, even without referring to Peter Obi by name.
Clariform has reported that the Labour Party presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi on Tuesday held an announced meeting at the home of Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.
At the meeting were Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, who are known political allies of the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.
Also present at the meeting were former Governors Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Donald Duke of Cross Rivers State and Dakawanbo of Gombe state.
Two independent sources close to the River State governor have confirmed to a Clariform correspondent that some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are seriously considering the endorsement of Peter Obi for president in 2023.
The sources did not mention names, but both have indicated that those who are currently considering the endorsement Peter Obi goes beyond those present at the Port Harcourt meeting with Wike.
One of the sources said that rift between Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate is not exactly why the consideration of Obi is on the table, but that it is certainly fast tracking the decision. The source said that “Obi is no doubt a winning formula.”
“He is the candidate to beat in this election, especially with additional support from some grassroot politicians. We have seen the handwriting on the wall and we are working on the best approach to herness his potentials. In fact it was a mistake not to have rallied round him to gun for the PDP ticket in the first place. Most of us are regretting things now.”
