As crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) festers, its board of trustees has scheduled a meeting with the governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, four of his counterparts and southern stalwarts of the party in Port Harcourt today (Tuesday).
The others who have formed the G-5 with Wike as the arrowhead are Messrs Ifeanyi Ugwanyi (Enugu State), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia State), Samuel Ortom (Benue state), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo State).
Others expected at the meeting include the former minister of information, Prof Jerry Gana, former governor Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke as well as many top PDP stakeholders in the south.
The Punch quoted a PDP source in Rivers State as confirming that the meeting would take place at the Government House in Port Harcourt
“Yes, it is confirmed that the PDP BoT members will meet His Excellency, the Governor (Wike) today in Port Harcourt.
“You very well know what is happening in the parry, the issues and everything. So such meeting is crucial. That is all I can tell you,” he said.
The meeting is aimed at pacifying Wike and his group to support the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Mr. Atiku Abubakar.
Recall that Wike and his group in the south had boycotted the campaign flag-off of the party over some irreconcilable differences.
The G-5 and others are calling for the resignation of the party’s national chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu to pave the way for a southerner to take over.
They argue that both PDP presidential candidate and national chairman cannot come from the same region.
Bothe Ayu and Atiku are from the north
Meanwhile, former chairman of the BoT, Mr. Walid Jibrin, has called on all members of the party, irrespective of position, to respect the PDP constitution.
Jibrin made the plea in a statement issued in Kaduna on Monday
He said this on Monday in a statement issued in Kaduna.
Jibrin said the crisis in the party will peter out soon adding that the party was working towards winning in the 2023 elections.
“I want to assure Nigerians that what is happening in PDP is never a problem, but a normal family matter that would be solved very soon.
“Never, ever mention that PDP has any problem. We shall soon take over from the ruling party. Nigeria shall move forward.”
“All our elders, leaders, youths and all women groups in the party must speak with one voice and avoid creating any division.
“Once an issue has been discussed and agreed upon, all members must abide it.
“All members of the party, no matter what, must accept the decisions taken by the NWC and avoid a situation whereby some few members will come out to make contrary statements.
“All members of our party, no matter their positions, must accept that PDP constitution which is supreme and above all party members,” he said.
