PDP Crisis: Wike finally accepts Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate but insists Ayu must resign

Image: Punch

As the 2023 election inches close, the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP seems to be coming to an end as Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State declared his acceptance of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate. However, he still maintained his stance regarding his call for the removal of Iyorchia Ayu as the National Chairman of the embattled party.

The Rivers State governor stated that he had accepted Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of PDP and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Rivers State as the party’s running mate, but Ayu must resign.

He pointed out that Ayu’s resignation was the only precursor for reconciliation in the party.

The governor spoke while hosting the Cross River candidates for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, House of Assembly elections, and local government party chairmen at his private residence in Rumueprikom.

A statement by Wike’s Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, quoted him as saying: “We have finished presidential primaries, we have a presidential candidate. Is Wike saying remove presidential candidate? Is Wike saying remove vice and presidential candidate? So, what are you begging me for? All I am saying, and I will continue to say is that you have taken president, give us (national) chairman.

“Nobody wants to speak the truth. If I am saying remove the presidential candidate, if I am saying remove the vice-presidential candidate, then you will say why is he doing this.

“I’ve accepted the presidential candidate, I have accepted the vice-presidential candidate, what’s the problem again. You, fulfil your part. Let the South have something, that is all I’m preaching. You cannot have a presidential candidate, national chairman, director general of the campaign.

“He (national chairman) said if the presidential candidate comes from the north, he will resign, which means he has had this in mind. Now, the thing has come to reality, now resign, no. And people are saying go and talk to Wike.”

Source: dailypost.ng

#2023
#Atiku
#Ayu
#Wike