Apparently disconcerted by the war of attrition between it’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has waded into the friction arising from the emergence of the party’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
Chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin, who disclosed the party’s elders’ readiness mediate in the crisis hinted that that the BoT will meet over the issue on Wednesday.
Jibrin said the misunderstanding in the party would be addressed, adding that the BoT will also meet with key figures in the friction, Atiku and Wike.
Jibrin further said the recent meeting between Wike and some PDP chieftains, including some governors on Sunday in Abuja, was intended to resolve the thorny issues.
Wike had hosted some party leaders at the Rivers State Governors Lodge in Abuja over the crisis brewing over the party’s running mate.
Atiku’s choice of Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, despite a preference by some party leaders for Wike, had infuriated the Rivers State governor.
While reconciliatory moves were said to be ongoing, the situation deteriorated after Wike accused Atiku of lying in an interview the latter granted Arise TV on the reconciliatory efforts.
But reacting to the issue, Jibrin said, “I notice with great concern that the PDP primary election of Atiku Abubakar and the appointment of Chief Okowa as president and vice president is unnecessary causing confusion among some PDP members.
“May I point out very strongly vthat there is no problem as envisaged by some people in our great party, the PDP. I want to assure everyone that all plans are on ground to bring all members together as one and united. What is happening in PDP can never be compared with the situation in APC, especially their plans in trying to bring religious issues of Muslim-Muslim president and vice president.
“I have also noted that some groups are coming up trying to solve the issues of Okowa as vice president. The latest group include some former governors of the party and the current governors, some BoT members and elders, including Prof Jerry Gana, the chief spokesman of the group, Dankwambo, governors of Enugu and Abia States, former Governor Ibrahim Idris of kogi State.
“The aim of the group is to reconcile aggrieved people, especially Wike. Interestingly the BoT, the highest advisory body and the conscience of the party, is meeting on Wednesday, 3rd August, to discuss the issues accordingly by coming up with strong recommendations, with the special committee for the special reconciliation of aggrieved members, especially Governor Wike.”
He further said the BoT will subsequently meet with Atiku, Wike and all aggrieved members and all past presidential aspirants.
“It is my prayer as chairman of BoT that the PDP will remain the strongest party and win all elections in 2023,” Jibrin noted.
Those at the meeting with Wike include Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Samuel Ortom of Benue and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.
Others are former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; former governor of some Benue State Gabriel Suswam; former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko; former Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, and former Plateau State governor Jonah Jang.
Others include former PDP deputy national vice chairman (North), Senator Suleiman Nazif, former Attorney General and minister for Justice, Mohammed Adoke, and a member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State, Tajudeen Yusuf, among others.
