Despite Rift With Wike, Atiku Moves To Resolve Imo PDP Crisis

Despite being unable to resolve the rift with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and the G5 governors, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa are set to wade into the crisis in the Imo State chapter of the party.

Naija News gathered that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) resolved to draft Atiku and Okowa to bring peace to the Imo State chapter after a meeting with the feuding Imo State PDP Stakeholders at the party’s National Secretariat, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

The meeting was also held to reposition the party for better electoral showings in the next election cycle.

This news platform recalls that the composition of the newly constituted Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) at the state level had recently became a source of conflict between party chieftains who accused the State Working Committee (SWC) of pandering to the whims of a particular Governorship aspirant.

Decisions reached by the NWC after the meeting include: that “the Presidential Candidate of the Party, HE Atiku Abubakar and his running-mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, will wade into the crisis, with a view to resolving the matter and other contending issues comprehensively and amicably.”

It was gathered that Atiku will meet with a few party stakeholders from the state, including Ex-Governor Emeka Ihedioha as well as the PDP National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, to soften the ground, Gov. Okowa will, thereafter, head a small panel that will reconcile all aggrieved parties and resolve all contending matters.

Speaking to journalists, the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, expressed regret over the loss of Imo to APC via a controversial Supreme Court judgement.

Ayu said, “Unity is crucial. And it’s only with unity that we can regain or recover Imo. And the route to that recovery is by winning the presidential election next February.

“Once we win the presidency next year, you will need to work less for the governorship victory.

“So, return home, close ranks and get to work. Our strength is in our unity. After elections in February, the NWC will give Imo closer attention. For now, focus on winning the presidency. Don’t dissipate energies on what is trivial or far away. Together, we are stronger.”

He further said; “In Ekiti, we were disunited. And we lost. Disunity led to defeat. We had success in Osun because we were united. It’s the same thing in Imo. If we refuse to unite, we will have the Ekiti debacle. But if we unite now, the Osun experience awaits us.”

Those who spoke at the meeting included: HE, Achike Udenwa (former Governor), HE Emeka Ihedioha (former Governor), Chief (Mrs.) Kema Chikwe (former Aviation Minister), Engr. Charles Ugwu (State PDP Chairman), Sen. Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Chief Duru Ihioma (former State Chairman) Chief Uche Anyagocha (Senatorial Candidate), Chief Ray Emenma (State Secretary) and Hon. Chuma Nnaji, among others.