Wike, Ortom, others make decision on quitting PDP, demand concessions

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and some of his colleagues from other states have finally made their stand known on whether to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or defect following the crisis rocking the party.

Also, some former governors and ex-ministers, who were a part of a closed-door meeting by the governors at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, toed the same line.

Sources close to the meeting revealed that the attendees resolved that for them to aid the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, actualise his dream in 2023, he must be ready to make some concessions.

A source gave the names of the four governors as Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

READ ALSO: Atiku/Okowa: Finally, Wike speaks, spares no word for Atiku, PDP scavengers

The quartet strongly stood with Wike during the May, 2022 PDP presidential shadow election in which Wike trailed behind Atiku.

The former governors said to have also attended the meeting are Donald Duke (Cross River), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Ibrahim Idris (Kogi) and Jonah Jang (Plateau).

A former Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Mohammed Adoke; an ex- PDP Deputy National Chairman (North), Suleiman Nazif; and a serving House of Representative member from Kogi State, Tajudeen Yusuf, were also at the meeting.

There has been a series of crossfires between Wike and Atiku’s camp over the presidential primary.

READ ALSO: Rivers 2023: PDP will win Rivers State – Wike

Last week, Wike accused the former vice-president of not cautioning his aides, who he said, were insulting him. He also dismissed rumours that he was planning to dump the PDP.

One of our sources said: “There has been too much pressure on Wike and those of us backing the governor. And tonight (last night), we decided to remain in PDP despite the disdain for Wike.

“While we are not defecting from PDP to any party, we will demand reforms in PDP. The PDP presidential candidate must be ready to concede a few things before we can support and work for his aspiration.

“The party must respect its zoning formula. There cannot be a presidential candidate from the North and   national chairman from the North.”

Another source said: “Our meeting was about how to move the party forward. We are not leaving the party.  We shall keep Nigerians posted soon.”