August 07, (THEWILL) – The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has started making efforts to end the current crisis within the party, which was caused by a last minute decision not to pick Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as the party’s vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
For the first time since the beginning of the crisis, two opposing groups led by the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Wike met last Thursday evening in Abuja.
The development, which came a day after the PDP’s Board of Trustees appointed a committee to reconcile both men, gave a breath of fresh air into the major opposition party as its members and leaders heaved a sigh of relief.
At the end of the BoT meeting, which lasted about four hours last Wednesday in Abuja, Senator Abdul Ningi had said that the committee was expected to interface with the warring camps.
He said, “We have set up a committee to interface with the warring factions, with regard to the acrimony between the presidential candidate and Governor Wike.”
Ningi said the committee is also expected to resolve other existing conflicts within the party across the country.
The committee is regarded as committee of the whole, meaning that every other BoT member is a member of the committee, but no one knows the deadline for the committee to complete its assignment.
The meeting with Atiku and Wike and their supporters held behind closed doors at the private residence of Prof Jerry Gana, a member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees. During the meeting, the warring parties promised to resolve their differences within seven days.
It was gathered that the meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere with both men exchanging banters before formal discussion commenced.
Atiku and Wike were said to have both agreed to set up a joint consultation committee made up of equal number of persons (from both sides) to thrash out the issues.
The reconciliation, according to a source at the meeting, would take place within seven days, after which they are expected to brief the various organs of the party.
The meeting is the first step towards the appointment of the PDP’s Presidential Campaign Council. Leaders of the party are optimistic that soon all the challenges facing it will be put to rest.
It would be recalled that Wike and his supporters were unhappy about the internal scheming that preceded Wike’s loss at the PDP presidential primary where he ended in the second position behind Atiku. Secondly they were angered by Atiku’s decision to ignore the Rivers State governor in his choice of a running mate.
Atiku picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate from a list of three persons nominated by a Special Committee that he set up to assist him in his search for a vice presidential candidate.
The Chairman of the committee, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, had in an interview revealed that the panel voted 14 to three in favour of Wike as the preferred choice, but they were surprised to see Atiku choose Okowa.
While responding, Atiku said the panel did not undertake a voting process.
He said that although the committee recommended three names, which included Wike and Okowa, the panel did not vote at any time.
He said he picked Okowa as it was his prerogative, noting that he felt Okowa, who has both legislative and executive experience, would best compliment him as President
Wike has the backing of some PDP governors, including the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde and Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, among other stakeholders.
Wike Group’s Demands
Governor Nyesom Wike and his group have called for the restructuring of the PDP leadership to accommodate more southerners, describing the party, in its current state, as pro-North.
The group complained that the structure of the party was skewed in favour of the North, stressing that any proposed reconciliation between Atiku Abubakar and Wike must address this contentious issue.
Wike’s group also expressed the opinion that the North cannot occupy the positions of BoT Chairman, National Chairman and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, as well as presidential candidate.
It said the only major position occupied by a southerner is that of vice presidential candidate.
The group said it support any genuine decision by the party to ensure peace, just as it resolved not to defect to any other political party.
The group also argued that to lay the foundation for peace in the PDP, there must be harmony, respect and understanding
“We are watching from the sidelines, at least to see what will transpire. The BoT has set up a committee to look into the matter. We understand that they want to start with the standard-bearer, we are waiting. As the standard-bearer, he is the shepherd. It is his responsibility to gather the flock.
“So, if Atiku is sincere and wants unity within the party, peace will return. If he believes he has all it takes to go it alone, if he believes that those who are genuinely aggrieved should be left by the wayside, then we will sit by and watch the masquerade play,” a member of the group said.
He added, “We cannot have the Chairman of PDP Governors Forum in the North, the Chairman of the BoT in the North, the Acting Secretary of the BoT in the North, the chairman of the party in the North and the presidential candidate of the party in the North. Where is the fairness in this? Where is the justice in this? Where is the balance in this?
“My leader has said quite clearly that we are moving nowhere. This is maturity in action despite the fact there could be options to choose at this time. Wike has spoken the truth and all supporters agree with this posture.’
“I tell you, he is in a better position to handle the issues to the extent that anything that will satisfy him means that yes indeed, he has been so reached and spoken to. For us who are his supporters, the moment he is satisfied, we will join him.”
Another member of the group said, “To ensure genuine reconciliation, the PDP must change its leadership structure. It must show that it cares for the South.
If Atiku is serious about reconciliation, the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, must step down and Governor Aminu Tambuwal cannot continue to be the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum.”
Political analysts have said that it will be too early to say the crisis has ended, but they believe the peace process is on course and they are optimistic that at the end of the day, peace will reign in the PDP.
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
