2023: Makinde, Ortom, Others May Dump Wike For Atiku

Reports have emerged claiming some allies of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State are growing tired of the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and may back the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

According to a source close to one of the governors, Wike’s allies (Governors Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okozie Ikpeazu of Oyo, Benue, and Abia States respectively) have decided that supporting Atiku to win the 2023 presidential election remained their best option.

A source told Sunday Sun that Governor Ortom is particularly not comfortable with Wike’s insistence that the PDP National Chairman, Ayu, should go.

He disclosed that though Ortom was initially not happy with Ayu, he had to succumb to the pressure from major stakeholders to support the party boss who is from his state, Benue.

It was also gathered that supporters of the Oyo State governor who are angry are already mounting pressure on him to abandon Wike to secure his second term bid.

A source close to Makinde said that major stakeholders in Oyo State are pressurizing him not to sacrifice the political fortunes of PDP in the state on the altar of friendship with Wike.

“Makinde has more stake in PDP as he will still go for his second term. You cannot fight forever. Major stakeholders in Oyo are asking what is in this fight for us.

“Wike is engaging in anti-party activities. If he wants to defect to another party, he is very free to do so. He is not the only person that has lost a primary election. Why is Amaechi who also invested so much in APC not taking the same route?” the source queried.

However, the Special Adviser to Ortom on Media and Publicity, Tervez Arkezev, described the story claiming his principal will dump Wike as a lie.

He said the Benue State Governor’s position on the seeming battle between Atiku and Wike is to ensure that the right things are done in the PDP.

“As we speak, Wike, Ortom, and Ikpeazu are in London for a meeting. So, how can somebody say that they want to abandon Wike,” he asked.