Despite Wike’s Camp Withdrawal, Atiku, PDP To Begin Campaigns Wednesday

It appears the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may linger for a while as the party said it has finalised plans to inaugurate the Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign council  on Wednesday, September 28 despite the withdrawal of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike’s camp.

Atiku, PDP Dare Wike, Go Ahead With Campaigns

Punch reports that this was made known by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba.

Ologunagba revealed that the party would go ahead with its programmes as scheduled as it had no plans to suspend them for any reason.

The main opposition party took its stand after a series of meetings by its leadership between Wednesday and Thursday, following the pullout of the Wike-led group.

Kanyi Daily had reported few days ago that Wike, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, ex-Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Bode George and other prominent members of the campaign council announced their withdrawal from Atiku’s campaign council after a marathon meeting in Port Harcourt.

The Wike’s camp said their decision to withdraw from the council was based on the refusal of the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu to resign so a southerner can occupy the position.

This, they said is to ensure balance, justice, and equity in the party, since the presidential candidate of party, Atiku Abubakar and Ayu comes from the same zone – North.

Atiku hails from Adamawa (North-East) while Ayu comes from Benue (North-Central).

The Wike’s camp said until Ayu resigns they won’t participate in the PDP presidential campaign council.

Their withdrawal compelled the PDP National Working Committee to summon an emergency meeting where the options before the party were discussed and decisions taken.

Ologunagba, in responding to a question of whether the campaign council would be inaugurated as scheduled said, “All programmes of the party are on and we have no plan to stop.”

The PDP national publicity secretary described the PDP as a party of law and order, stressing the importance of playing by the rules at all times.

“The constitution of our party is supreme and the conduct of our affairs must align with it. Again, we are a party with tremendous respect for the law. So, all we have set out to do will take place as there is no reason whatsoever to do otherwise,” he added.

Meanwhile, Atiku had said he can not force Ayu to resign, adding that such decisions rests solely on the national chairman.