Wike: PDP Governors Reportedly Dump Atiku, Reach Deal To Support Tinubu (See List)

Information has emerged that some Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have allegedly reached a deal to work against the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Instead of working for Atiku, the Governors reportedly reached a deal to secretly support the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu without defecting from the PDP.

Naija News understands the Governors fingered in the development are loyalists of their Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike who has been at loggerheads with Atiku over the outcome of the party’s presidential primary election and the subsequent emergence of Ifeanyi Okowa as the vice presidential candidate.

A source quoted by Vanguard says the Governors; Nyesom Wike (Rivers) Samuel Ortom (Benue) Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu(Abia) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) all reached the agreement during their recent meeting in London.

According to the source, the Governors want assurances that their preferred candidates will be allowed to win Senate and House of Representatives seats in their respective states but Tinubu could not fully commit to the demands.

“Wike was said to have demanded that the APC candidate ensures if he wins the presidential election, which comes first, he will ensure he does not influence the outcome of the governorship and House of Assembly polls in Rivers, Benue, Oyo, and Abia states so that candidates in his camp and those of the other governors could maintain control of the states.

“He also wanted assurances that their men should be allowed to win Senate and House of Representatives seats, including the governors contesting senatorial elections. There was no headway on this demand either, since the presidential and National Assembly elections would take place the same day,” the source claimed.

The London Meeting

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have however not given up and are making frantic efforts to end the internal crisis rocking the party, which has stalled its preparations for the 2023 presidential campaign and the inauguration of its campaign committee.

Naija News reports that the main opposition party plunged into crisis in the aftermath of the nomination of its presidential candidate and running mate, Atiku Abubakar, and Ifeanyi Okowa, respectively.

According to Sunday Sun, the party has scheduled crucial meetings of its National Working Committee ( NWC), National Caucus, Board of Trustees ( BoT), and National Executive Committee (NEC).

Insiders disclosed that the meetings are part of efforts by the PDP to rally its leaders and stakeholders to send find a middle ground in the crisis rocking the opposition party.

Naija News gathered that Governor Wike and his allies have converged in London, UK, with sources saying the trip is to enable the quartet to brainstorm on current development in the party.

Tinubu To Join Wike, Allies In London

As earlier reported by this news platform, a source had hinted that the reconciliation moves between Atiku and Wike have all but broken down.

The source claimed Tinubu will join Wike and his people in London for another round of talks on how to work together for the 2023 presidential polls.

The source said, “unless a miracle happens, the reconciliation talks between Atiku and Wike have irretrievably collapsed.

“Wike and his team are currently in London where they met this afternoon and I have it on good authority that the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, will be joining them to conclude talks started weeks ago.”

Ayu Sits Tight

A major demand of the Wike camp for peace to reign in PDP is said to be the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as the party’s national chairman and for him to be replaced by a southerner.

However, Ayu insists that he would not resign but intends to see out his four-year tenure.

The 2023 presidential election in Nigeria has been scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for February 25.