UPDATED: Wike's faction leaves Atiku's campaign council

 On Wednesday, the Peoples Democratic Party, which is the biggest opposition party in the country, entered a deeper state of crisis when it was revealed that Governor Nyesom Wike's campaign staff had left Atiku Abubakar's presidential campaign.

This was announced during a meeting that took place early on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the state capital of Rivers.

Before the general elections in 2023, our correspondent learned that members of the Rivers State Governor's team swore against participating in Atiku's campaign in any way.

They argued that in order for them to reverse their decision, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP's National Chairman, must step down.

They claimed that once Ayu was asked to resign as the party's national chairman, there was no turning back.

Displeased party chieftains and leaders, including party founders, governors, and past ministers, attended the conference.

They emphasized that the South needed the position for the party to be balanced, just, and equitable, thus they said they wouldn't participate in Atiku Abubakar's campaign council.

They decide that the party shall be led by an interim Chairman from the South during the national election campaign.

After a protracted meeting on Wednesday at Governor Wike's private residence outside Port Harcourt, they expressed their opinion in a resolution that was delivered by former deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Bode George.

They insisted that they could not compromise since Ayu's leadership threatened the organization's unity and constitution.

The party's presidential primaries on May 28 and 29 were allegedly affected by Ayu's actions, and the members said the released presidential campaign council list amounted to placing the cart before the horse.

During his reading of the resolution, George expressed concern about the PDP's internal conflict and urged the party to be prepared for it.

"We decide that the area within our party is quite concerning. We are aware that over the years, our party has created systems for resolving disputes that ensure inclusivity.

"The list of presidential campaign advisers that has been made public amounts to placing the cart before the horse. The crucial matter continues to be the leadership's decision, which is a deviation from

"Senator Iyorchia Ayu must step down from her position as the party's national chairman so that an interim chairman of Southern Nigerian descent can take over and guide the party during the national election.

“Consequently, we resolve not to participate in the campaign council in whatever capacity until the resignation of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.”

Another ally of Wike and former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah Jang, lampooned Ayu for embracing Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tanbuwal, and called him the hero of the convention.

Jang said the action of Ayu showed that the outcome of the primary was preplanned to short-change the other contestants.

He said, “For a National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu to go and embrace Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tanbuwal, calling him the heronof the convention meant that there was a private arrangement that was done with Tambuwal to shortchange other contestants including Governor Wike.

“Here was a referee, who helped one of his sides to score a goal and then blew the whistle. This is not what we formed the PDP to do for Nigerians. Therefore, we unequivocally ask that Ayu must step down.”

The pro-Wike group said their support for Wike was not because he lost the presidential primary or because he was not chosen as the running mate to Atiku but in the interest of equity and justice in the party.

On his part, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, said, “You cannot build on a faulty foundation.

“This call for the chairman to step down or resign is not because any of us is aggrieved but because we believe it is important to ensure a just, fair, principled, and constitutional structure for the party. If we want to restructure Nigeria, we should have the courage to restructure our party”.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said: “We hope that the powers that be listen to the voice of reason and do the needful”.