Atiku on edge over Wike’s comments rattling PDP
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
“The party cannot sanction him [Wike]. It will get to a point where Wike will pull out of the party or act as a spoiler.
“If he acts as a spoiler, the party will have no grounds to sanction him for anti-party activities and if the party decides to expel him, it is looking for more trouble because some of his loyalists will resist the move” – PDP source.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is on edge over bullish comments being made by Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike who has spoken of waiting for the right moment to announce his preferred candidate.
Party leaders and Team Atiku described Wike’s comments as mixed signals amid the feud that has engulfed PDP ranks since the primary in May, and say they cannot fathom a resolution as agreements for calm have been breached.
The frosty relationship between Atiku and Wike is worsened by the refusal of PDP National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu to step down for a Southerner as he promised to do in May if a Northerner emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.
Team Atiku members told Vanguard that Wike’s comments, often made robustly on national television, are deliberately skewed to keep everyone guessing.
Some PDP leaders want Atiku to lead them from the front to call Wike’s bluff by “cutting our losses, move on and concentrate on building the party ahead of the 2023 elections.” But Atiku is in a quandary.
Heart-wrenching
“It is heart-wrenching that this matter has dragged this long,” said a party leader, who pleaded anonymity to respect agreements between the camps of Atiku and Wike to sheath their swords.
“It was agreed the last time that all parties desist from further making inflammatory remarks.
“It was borne out of this that Atiku caused a statement to be issued by his media team urging his supporters to bridle their tongues but this act of goodwill is not being returned in kind. This is quite unfortunate.
“I must say at this point that Governor Wike has made up his mind about what he wants to do. Bending over backwards to accede to everything he has asked for will be shooting ourselves in the foot.
“Personally, I rather we cut our losses, move on and concentrate on building the party ahead of the 2023 elections.
“We just made significant inroads in Kano with the defection of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and his teeming supporters. These are the kinds of things we should be celebrating.”
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Rivers issues elevated to national level
“My reading of the situation is that there are other local issues in Rivers politics that are being elevated to the national,” another party source told Vanguard.
“Comments being made by the Governor, with due respect to him, appear deliberately skewed to keep everyone guessing. The truth is we cannot wait forever, something has to give.
“The truth is that whichever decision you take in politics, not everyone will be happy or accept it for one reason or another. Our presidential candidate has demonstrated good faith.
“However, it will be disastrous for anyone to contemplate a leadership change at this time, the issue of anyone removing Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman before the election does not arise.”
Atiku nervous
Another PDP leader, a former member of its National Working Committee (NWC), confided in Vanguard that Wike’s recent comments are putting Atiku on edge and it is not going down well with his loyalists.
His words: “Wike is giving them (Atiku’s camp) signs that he will work against him. Wike is getting feelers that some interests around Atiku do not want the PDP presidential candidate to give in to his demands.
“Wike also has some people within Atiku’s camp, especially in the NWC. The anger in the Atiku camp is that Wike cannot be seen to be controlling the party.
“Also, Wike is expecting Atiku to give him an update on what was discussed at their London meeting but Atiku is yet to call him. That is why you hear Wike making those comments.”
PDP can’t sanction Wike
“The party cannot sanction him. It will get to a point where Wike will pull out of the party or act as a spoiler.
“If he acts as a spoiler, the party will have no grounds to sanction him for anti-party activities and if the party decides to expel him, it is looking for more trouble because some of his loyalists will resist the move.
“He still has loyalists in the NWC and he may use the same approach he used for Uche Secondus by inducing them to resign and pass a vote of no confidence in Ayu.
“Wike needs only two or three NWC members to pass a vote of no confidence in Ayu. He can destabilise the party.”
Atiku open to reconciliation
“Atiku wants to reconcile with Wike but he is in a dilemma and Atiku’s dilemma is that Ayu was one of those who helped him win the ticket.
“Atiku wants to reorganise the party but Ayu and his loyalists are resisting the move, insisting that the former Vice President must protect and stand for them.
“Atiku is confused. He knows what Wike can do and he doesn’t want to lose Wike but the interests around him want him to damn Wike.”
