The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2023 general election has worsened with the loyalists of the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike threatening to leave the party if their principal (Wike) defects.
Political leaders loyal to Wike, in separate interviews on Thursday, warned the PDP that they were ready to mobilise other supporters of the governor to dump the nation’s main opposition party.
But the PDP’s standard-bearer, Atiku Abubakar, allayed fears over the crisis in the party, saying he would ensure reconciliation.
Atiku said this barely 24 hours after Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom accused him of failing to honour the democratic choice in the selection of his running mate.
Ortom also noted that Atiku failed to reach out to Wike and some other aggrieved members of the party after selecting the Delta State, Dr Godwin Okowa, as the vice-presidential candidate despite the recommendation of a 17-man selection committee which nominated Wike.
But Atiku moved to douse the tension, saying efforts were being made to resolve the grievances of party members.
Tweeting via his official Twitter handle @Atiku on Thursday, the PDP presidential candidate assured that “appropriate actions have been taken, are being taken, and will continue to be advanced.
“@The Peoples Democratic Party will remain united. Focus on our actions. We are taking action to address the feelings of all party members. The unity in our community is my priority. Our resolve to unify Nigeria starts in our party and moves to the community, then on to society.
“Every governor, legislator, and other elected officials produced by our party, and party members and loyalists, are much loved and respected by me. When they speak, I listen. I do not only listen. Appropriate actions have been taken, are being taken, and will continue to be advanced,” he tweeted on Thursday.
However, there are indications that the peace moves may not have gained the expected traction as loyalists of the Rivers State governor appeared to be unconvinced by the olive branch offered by Atiku.
Wike, who has refused to speak publicly since he lost the running mate slot to Okowa, is also giving the Atiku camp and the PDP sleepless nights with his romance with some opposition parties.
The governor had on June 24 hosted the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Port Harcourt.
The visit occurred a day after the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, visited Wike, sparking speculations about their intentions and the Rivers governor’s plans.
Although the purpose of the visits was not made public, Wike’s dalliance with the two parties has strengthened speculations that he might leave the PDP.
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, who was also present at the meeting with Obi, had on Wednesday declared that it was the turn of the South to produce the president in 2023, a direct attack on Atiku’s ambition.
The crisis over the PDP vice-presidential slot festers as Wike is currently in Turkey on vacation.
