PDP: Wike, supporters to boycott Atiku’s campaign inauguration

The five Governors (G5) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike may boycott the presidential campaign inauguration of the party’s candidate Atiku Abubakar on Monday.

Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP had arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital Sunday ahead of the flag-off of the party’s Presidential Campaign on Monday.

They include the Vice Presidential candidate and governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, Senator George Sekibo, Rivers East Senator, Senator Lee Maeba among others.

However, It was gathered that grievances of Wike’s team and their supporters had deepened following the decision of Atiku to continue playing to the gallery instead of genuinely resolving the dispute.

Both Atiku and Wike’s supporters have been locked in a face-off since June when the former vice president overlooked Wike and picked Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.

Previous efforts to reconcile them had failed to yield any positive result.

Atiku even appeared to have decided to ignore Wike, and proceeded with his campaign while the Rivers State Governor and his supporters threatened to have nothing to do with the Atiku presidential campaign.

Five of the 11 state governors elected on the platform of PDP are in Wike’s camp, leading to a major crack in the party.

The team was said to have remained resolute in its demands that the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, must vacate office to allow genuine reconciliation to take place.

Atiku Abubakar had promised to support the presidential bid of Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State in 2027 if the governor sheaths his sword and supports him (Atiku) in the 2023 general elections.

Atiku made the promise in an obviously desperate bid when he met with Wike in Abuja in an attempt to patch up their differences.

A source close to the team said there was no need for such an inquiry, when asked whether the Rivers Governor would attend Atiku’s campaign inauguration.

“Such question does not arise because the team had earlier pulled out of Atiku’s campaign and nothing has changed since then”, the source said.