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Cracks in PDP, as Atiku insists party is one, united

Abuja—The peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said the party will remain united.

This is following widely circulated reports that Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike who was speculated to become Atiku’s presidential running mate after coming second in the presidential primary is said to be unhappy with the party after Atiku against the recommendation of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) picked Delta state’s governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.

As a result, the former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar reportedly inaugurated a peace committee to pacify the Rivers state governor and work to unite the PDP going into next year’s General election.

However, the committee’s mandate to bring the Rivers state governor on board can not be said to be satisfactorily successful as it is reported that Wike’s camp is still adamant and feels betrayed by the events that followed after the party’s presidential election.

Atiku in a tweet on Thursday maintained that the party is working to address the Ill feelings of all party members.

He said the PDP’s unity is his priority, adding that the PDP’s resolve to unify Nigeria must start with the party.

The former vice president of Nigeria reiterated that he not only loves and respects every member of the party but also listens to them and takes action in that regard.

“The Peoples Democratic Party will remain united. Focus on our actions. We are taking action to address the feelings of all party members.

“The unity in our community is my priority. Our resolve to unify Nigeria starts in our party and moves to the community, then on to society.

“Every Governor, Legislator, and other elected officials produced by our party, and party members and loyalists, are much loved and respected by me.

“When they speak, I listen. I do not only listen. Appropriate actions have been taken, are being taken, and will continue to be advanced. -AA,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, and former Governor of Ekiti state Ayo Fayose’s recent publicised statements further hint that all may not be well with the PDP.

Ortom in an interview with Arise TV on Wednesday said he is “fasting and praying” for divine guidance before deciding to support Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 elections.

Ortom added that he will only support Atiku’s presidential bid if God directs him.

“However, some of us have resorted to prayers. I have been in hibernation. We’ve resorted to prayer: ‘Lord God, where do we go from here.’ I believe as a Christian that power belongs to God. The Bible says a man can receive nothing except it is given to him from above.

“I am praying. I have gone into hibernation. I am fasting and praying. So in the end, if God directs me that I should support Atiku, why should I not do it? After all, he’s my party member.

“But I am waiting for him to do more. I expect him to reach out to Wike, who came second in the presidential primary. The man he denied the popular view of the PDP members — 14 out of 17 — who said Wike should be the vice-presidential candidate. I expect more explanation. I expect him to talk to Wike — whom we are supporting — first. I expect him to reach out to some of us so that together we can work as a party.”

Similarly, Former Ekiti state governor Ayo Fayose in a series of tweets on Wednesday said he will only support a southern presidency, stating that the party’s constitution allows for power rotation.

Fayose, who was also a former presidential aspirant under the PDP said it is a southern presidency or nothing.

“The current President of Nigeria is a 2-term Northern Presidency, thus implying that it MUST be a Southern Presidency in 2023 or NOTHING. Awa ‘South’ lo kan’. Nigerians should await details soon.

“PDP Constitution provides for a rotational Presidency. Section 3(c) provides that the Party shall pursue its aims & objectives by “adhering to the policy of the rotation & zoning of Party & Public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice, and fairness.”

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