PDP crisis: G-5 demands equity in reconciliation moves

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated that the G-5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will only be disposed to reconciliation based on equity, fairness and justice. Wike stated this at the inauguration of the Rumuepirikom Flyover, the eighth of such so far constructed and completed by his administration. The project’s inauguration was […]

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated that the G-5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will only be disposed to reconciliation based on equity, fairness and justice.

Wike stated this at the inauguration of the Rumuepirikom Flyover, the eighth of such so far constructed and completed by his administration.

The project’s inauguration was performed by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday.

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He said some members of the party were singing praises of him and colleagues that made up the G-5 governors, noting that the same people had turned around to call them names because they were clamouring for equity, fairness and justice.

Wike said, “I’m sure those of them in my party, before, they cannot say anything without mentioning Wike. But now, because I say let the right thing be done, let agreement be agreement, because I have said that, I have now become an enemy. These are people who were praising me morning, night and day.

“But because we said, look, we have an agreement, do this, do that, and some people believe that they will not and we said it must be done.  We stand for equity, fairness and justice.

“That is what the G-5 will continue to preach. We have said we are not against reconciliation, but reconciliation must be based on equity, fairness and justice.

“Politics now is about interest. You must tell me what is the interest of Rivers State? You must tell me what is the interest of my community? I will not join anybody who does not want my state to benefit. I will not support anybody who does not like my state.”

Performing the inauguration, Oshiomhole noted with pleasure the belief by Wike that in a democracy, though political parties are needed to win elections, promises made to the people must be kept and projects delivered as proof of governance.

PDP will win presidency, 25 states – Ayu 

But the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has expressed optimism that the party will win the presidency and at least 25 of the 36 states, including Lagos, in the 2023 general elections.

Speaking at the PDP headquarters, Abuja, while receiving the report of a reconciliation committee for Lagos and Osun headed by Chief Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), Ayu said the party had put in place measures to dethrone the APC in Lagos.

Ayu’s remarks were coming amid an intense crisis in the party, as the G-5 governors who are members of the party are insisting that He (Ayu) must step aside for a Southern stalwart to take over his office.

He said, “Lagos was in very bad shape before now. But because of your excellent reconciliation work, our chances of taking Lagos State have been greatly enhanced. We are now sure of victory. We will take Alausa and clear the state and National Assembly seats.

“We won in Osun State and we will repeat the feat in Lagos. I am reiterating my often-stated position that the PDP will win the presidency and at least 25 governorships across the country. And those 25 states include Lagos. This is why we want all party members to work together.”

Ayu further said that the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu, was defeated in Osun in the July governorship poll, noting that, “We now want to crown it in Lagos, his state of residence. He is already shouting, ‘God bless PDP’.”

Why Oyo gov should support Atiku – Ex-minister

Meanwhile, a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Elder Wole Oyelese, has advised the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, to support the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, in his own interest.

Our correspondent reports that Makinde and four other aggrieved governors who are members of the PDP have vowed never to campaign for Atiku unless the party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, resigns.

Addressing the coordinators of Atiku support groups from the 33 LGAs of Oyo State yesterday, Oyelese, one of the PDP chieftains in the state and leader of a group, Atiku Victory Vanguard 2023, said, “There is a limit to everything. He (Makinde) has reached the limit. It is time to come back and let us rebuild our party.

“Makinde should retreat now so that he can fight another day. Politics is not a do-or-die affair. It is not difficult to see that this time around Atiku is God’s own project and he should be part of it.

“The governor is surrounded by many people who cannot tell him the truth to let him know that a lot of damage has been done to the party. There is a lot of work to be done if PDP is to remain in power in Oyo State.”

 

By Baba Martins (Abuja), Victor Edozie (Port Harcourt) & Jeremiah Oke (Ibadan)