See conditions given by Wike’s group to support Atiku

Ahead of the 2023 general election, supporters of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike have given the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, some conditions to meet before supporting its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Both organs of the party will meet tomorrow.

Ahead of the meeting, state co-ordinators of the Wike Presidential Campaign Council, after a meeting with Wike, on Sunday, resolved to, among other things, remain in the PDP.

Vanguard quoted sources as saying that the demands include getting Abubakar to agree to do one term, if elected; asking National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to resign as chairman to enable a Southerner take over in line with the North-South power sharing formula since the presidential candidate is from the North; and headship of the Senate and House of Representatives, among others.

They also agreed to give “irreducible minimum” conditions whenever the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the party leadership approach them for a truce.

Vanguard gathered in Abuja, yesterday, that the members of the council, especially governors, after reviewing happenings in the party since the PDP presidential primary and selection of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as running mate, agreed that Wike deserves to be treated better.

They, however, noted that irrespective of the fact that they were hurt and rightly so, their individual and collective interests would be better served within the party.

A source familiar with this development who spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to hamper ongoing reconciliation efforts, said: “A date for the meeting (between the party leadership and Wike) has not yet been agreed on. Wike has been silent since this whole thing started. We expect a cessation of the insults being heaped on him by some party leaders. He deserves respect, to disrespect him is to say we no longer matter.

“All party members who supported the aspiration of Governor Wike look forward to the meeting between the party, the presidential aspirant and him. It is not on the pages of newspapers; no one has approached him for a face-to-face meeting.

“He (Wike) is upset; we all are. But we are not averse to a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues. As a group, we look forward to having a commitment from the presidential candidate with the party leadership serving as witness.

“It will not be too much for us to produce the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, either the Senate Presidency or the Speakership in addition to some ministerial and heads of parastatal slots, when our party wins in 2023.

“We will also expect Atiku and his people to make offers for us to consider going forward. We are party men and women; we deserve to be carried along.”

It was also gathered that the Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee, NWC, was locked in a meeting in a secret location in Abuja, yesterday, preparatory to a formal meeting at the party secretariat on Wednesday (tomorrow).