Wike vs Atiku: ‘No Body Is Bigger Than PDP, They Can Leave’

The decision of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike to hold a closed-door meeting with some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors has not gone down well with some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Recall that Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi, had led Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State to a closed-door meeting with the Rivers State governor on Friday.

This has increased speculations that the Rivers governor may be plotting to join the ruling APC.

Unhappy with the decision of Wike and supporters mingling with the opposition party, a member of the PDP National Executive Committee, who pleaded anonymity, stated that no one can hold the main opposition party to ransom.

The PDP chieftain insisted that the party was bigger than every member.

“PDP has been around since 1998. We have seen all kinds of members come and go,” he told Vanguard.

“With due respect to everyone, membership of this party is by choice. We would like to have people on board, but we would be better off with those who believe in the cause of the party.

“I don’t think any sacrifice is too much for individual members to make for us to return to power in 2023.

“Yes, without doubt, Rivers State is one of our biggest strongholds, and we have accorded and will continue to accord the state and its people the respect they deserve.

“But no individual can hold the party to ransom. Politics is about interest, and our interest as a party now is how to win the next election to rescue this country we all love so passionately from the precipice the APC has dragged us to.”

Another party member stated that when the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, returns to the country, the PDP leadership would meet and resolve the issues.

“Thankfully, our National Chairman has returned, and we expect our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to return after the Eid-el-Kabir festivities. I can guarantee you that we will meet and take appropriate steps to resolve all outstanding issues,” he said.

The PDP leader, however, expressed worry over the possibility of Wike joining the ruling party.

“Of course, who won’t be worried? The 2023 election is just months away. We need all our committed members,” he said when asked if he was worried.