Wike’s Group Pulls Out Of Atiku’s Campaign, Wants Ayu’s Exit
The camp of Governor Nyesom Wike in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rose from a crucial meeting in the private residence of the Rivers State governor in the early hours of Wednesday, September 21, 2022, baring its fangs as it announced its withdrawal from the presidential campaign of the party for the 2023 General Elections.
The group announced its position after about seven hours meeting which commenced at about 7:00pm on Tuesday night and ended at about 2:00am on Wednesday, saying that none of them will participate at whatever capacity in the PDP Presidential campaign council except the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu resigns from office to pave way for a southern candidate.
Some members of the Wike’s camp were recently appointed as leaders and members of the campaign council for the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Key leaders of the party present at the Tuesday Port Harcourt night meeting where the defining decision was arrived at include Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, former Governors Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, Donald Duke of Cross River, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe and Jonah Jang of Plateau.
The attendees also include former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, SAN, former Deputy National chairman of the party, Olabode George, Prof. Jerry Gana, the National Vice chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Senator Suleiman Nazif, Nnenna Ukeje, among others.
Chief Olabode George, who briefed journalists after the meeting that lasted for over seven hours, said the meeting resolved that none of the members of the group will participate in the PDP presidential campaigns except the needful is done by ensuring that Dr. Iyorchia Ayu resigns as National chairman of the Party.
George did not however state who or the party the group will be supporting in the 2023 presidential election.
