2023: PDP crisis deepens as Wike and allies boycott presidential campaign flag
A group of five People's Democratic Party (PDP) governors led by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike were conspicuously absent as the party's presidential campaign kicked off in Uyo, Utah. Akwa Ibom State, Monday.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Seyi Makinde, Oyo; and Samuel Ortom, Benue, were absent from the event.
Members of the group were also absent at the inauguration of the party's presidential campaign council last month.
Although the event, held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, drew a large crowd and was also successfully held, it showed that the PDP crisis was far from over.
p>PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar at campaign kickoff vowed to banish hunger in Nigeria.
"Today we inaugurated our campaign to save Nigeria from hunger, poverty, and also to bring back the unity we need in this country.
"If you vote for the PDP, it will be a return to prosperity, to unity. There will be no more hunger and there will be security.
“I swear if you vote for the PDP, you will all go back to school. You will get jobs,” Mr. Atiku said at the event.
CrisisThe PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis after its presidential primary, which was won by former Vice President Mr. Atiku
Mr. Wike, who was a presidential aspirant in the party, has been leading a group of party loyalists demanding the resignation of PDP national chairman Iyorchia Ayu in order to achieve “regional balance” since Messrs. Ayu and Atiku are both from the north.
But Mr Ayu insisted he would not step down as he was elected for a four-year term.
PDP (BOT) Chairman of the Board, Walid Jibrin, from Nasarawa State in the north, resigned a few weeks ago, apparently to appease Mr Wike and his group.
Mr. Wabara, a former senate speaker from southeastern Abia state, had since replaced Mr Jibrin.
However, Mr. Wike's camp is unimpressed with Mr. Jibrin's resignation. They insist that Mr. Ayu leave his post.
The crisis escalated when Mr. Wike's allies, who were appointed to the PDP's presidential campaign committee last month, announced their withdrawal from the committee.
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A group of five People's Democratic Party (PDP) governors led by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike were conspicuously absent as the party's presidential campaign kicked off in Uyo, Utah. Akwa Ibom State, Monday.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Seyi Makinde, Oyo; and Samuel Ortom, Benue, were absent from the event.
Members of the group were also absent at the inauguration of the party's presidential campaign council last month.
Although the event, held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, drew a large crowd and was also successfully held, it showed that the PDP crisis was far from over.
p>PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar at campaign kickoff vowed to banish hunger in Nigeria.
"Today we inaugurated our campaign to save Nigeria from hunger, poverty, and also to bring back the unity we need in this country.
"If you vote for the PDP, it will be a return to prosperity, to unity. There will be no more hunger and there will be security.
“I swear if you vote for the PDP, you will all go back to school. You will get jobs,” Mr. Atiku said at the event.
CrisisThe PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis after its presidential primary, which was won by former Vice President Mr. Atiku
Mr. Wike, who was a presidential aspirant in the party, has been leading a group of party loyalists demanding the resignation of PDP national chairman Iyorchia Ayu in order to achieve “regional balance” since Messrs. Ayu and Atiku are both from the north.
But Mr Ayu insisted he would not step down as he was elected for a four-year term.
PDP (BOT) Chairman of the Board, Walid Jibrin, from Nasarawa State in the north, resigned a few weeks ago, apparently to appease Mr Wike and his group.
Mr. Wabara, a former senate speaker from southeastern Abia state, had since replaced Mr Jibrin.
However, Mr. Wike's camp is unimpressed with Mr. Jibrin's resignation. They insist that Mr. Ayu leave his post.
The crisis escalated when Mr. Wike's allies, who were appointed to the PDP's presidential campaign committee last month, announced their withdrawal from the committee.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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