PDP governors, others dump Atiku over choice of deputy, may work for Tinubu, Obi

There are strong indications that some top members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may work against the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in 2023, IDOMA VOICE reports.

IDOMA VOICE reports that this follows the outcome of the PDP primaries in May, which produced Atiku as its flagbearer.

Prior to the May 28 primary election of the PDP, it was believed to be a three-horse race between Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal and Nyesom Wike.

However, on the night of the election, Tambuwal, the governor of Sokoto State stepped down, this paved the way for the victory of Atiku.

This, many believe, was against the zoning arrangement that power should go back to southern Nigeria, IDOMA VOICE reports.

The development angered many stakeholders of the PDP, who faulted Tambuwal for aligning with Atiku, thereby betraying his Rivers State counterpart; Wike, who stood for him in 2018 during the party’s primaries.

Following Atiku’s emergence, many party leaders had opined that the Turakin Adamawa should pick Wike as his running mate.

Many of them believe that Wike has paid his dues in the party and deserved to be rewarded.

They claimed Wike was financing the party when many people defected after the 2015 general elections.

However, Atiku shunned the ‘popular views’ and settled for Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.

His decision angered not a few members of the party, who have come out to publicly criticise Atiku’s choice of deputy.

First to throw the salvo was former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose.

Fayose had in a tweet faulted the emergence of Atiku, insisting power should go back to the south.

His outburst made many political observers conclude that he might be working for his kinsman, Bola Tinubu, who is the APC presidential flag bearer.

In a tweet, Fayose said it was the turn of the southern region to produce a president.

“The 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,” he wrote.

Similarly, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, during an interview with Arise TV, said Atiku’s choice of deputy was not the collective decision of the party leaders.

Ortom said 17 stakeholders who met over this matter, 14 were of the opinion that Wike should become the Vice President.
But Atiku instead picked Okowa against their wish, a development Ortom said was unfair.

Asked if he would support Atiku in 2023, Ortom told Arise TV, “I am in hibernation. I am praying. Let me go spiritual. The bible says, ‘as many as are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God’.

In his response, Atiku said actions were being taken to unite the party and calm all aggrieved members after the fallout that greeted the choice of his running mate.

However, it is becoming clearer by the day that Atiku is fast losing the support of bigwigs of the party.

In this analysis, IDOMA VOICE looks at some governors and PDP leaders that may work against Atiku in 2023.

Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State Governor)
It is a known fact that Ikpeazu is a close ally of Wike before the May 29 presidential primaries of the PDP.

Ikpeazu had said that he had a soft spot for Governor Wike and was praying for him to win the sole ticket of the party.
Few days back, Wike and Ikpeazu were spotted in pictures while holidaying in Turkey.

This ‘union’ many believe is a bad omen for the PDP candidate as he may lose Abia State.

Makinde Oluseyi (Oyo State)
There are strong indications that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State may dump the PDP candidate.

The reason, many observers believe, is simple: Tinubu is from the southwest and Makinde will definitely work for the region to take over power at the centre stage.
This was evident during a recent visit by Tinubu to Oyo State where Makinde openly showered praises on him.

Makinde was also pictured alongside Wike in Turkey where the latter went to take a rest recently.
Akwa Ibom (Udom Emmanuel)
Udom Emmanuel was one of the presidential aspirants who lost the ticket to Atiku in May.
Udom polled 38 votes during the exercise to come fourth behind Atiku, Wike and Saraki.

The Akwa Ibom governor was also nominated by the party as Atiku’s running mate, but the latter insisted on Okowa.

Although Udom had congratulated Atiku on his victory, many believe he may not go all out to work for his victory in 2023.

Others many believe may sit on the fence in 2023 are Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State.

The opposition party seems to be going through a serious internal crisis that seems to have shattered its chances ahead of the 2023 polls.

Recently, there were clandestine moves by some top members of the party to remove Iyorcha Ayu as the PDP National Chairman.
This move was, however, thawated by the Atiku camp.
A source told our reporter that some leaders of the party are not happy with Ayu over the way things are going wrong in the party.