Ayu will lead the PDP’s campaign while Wike is ignored

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared on Sunday that it will begin working as soon as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifts the ban on political campaigns, with its national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, leading the fight, just two days before the start of the campaigns for the 2023 general election.
With this new development, Rivers State Governor Nyesom and his allies, Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue, and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, appear to be losing the fight to remove Ayu and replace him with another chairman from the South.

Last Monday, Wike’s campaign made a promise to not participate in the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and to not endorse Atiku Abubakar unless Ayu resigns from his post.

In addition, according to Daily Independent, Northern PDP stakeholders, led by Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, and Aminu Tambuwal, the interim chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), have decided that Wike and his allies will not be able to impose their choice as the party’s national chairman even if Ayu resigns.

Ayu will lead the fight for the PDP unless he voluntarily decides to step down, according to a reliable source in the party who spoke to Daily Independent. Leaders of the party agreed that the vote of confidence passed on Ayu by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party stands.

Further, according to our source, a part of the resolution notes that even if Ayu decides to resign, the party’s constitution clearly stipulates that the deputy national chairman from the same region will take over when a national chairman steps down, contrary to Wike and his allies’ demands.

On the other side, it is rumored that Wike and his allies are supporting Ambassa­dor Taofeek Arapaja, the deputy national chairman (South), who is the highest-ranking national official from the South and will replace Ayu in an acting role.

Our source responded, “There is no cause for fear since it has already been taken care of by the party,” in response to a question about whether the party can make progress in Rivers, Oyo, and other states where Wike and his supporters are in power.

Everyone concurred that the party leadership had tried its utmost to reach a settlement with the offended leaders, according to our source. In attempt to restore peace, they also praised the party’s presidential candidate for his numerous meetings with Wike and his staff. But the party needs to go forward because the campaign is scheduled to begin on September 28.

“In actuality, Ayu has received a vote of confidence from the NEC, and that should be respected. The party is bigger than everyone. A governor cannot simply believe that he can install whoever he chooses and then get rid of them if they don’t do what he wants.

“Even if Ayu stands down voluntarily today, a Southerner will not be able to succeed him. If you recall, the man turned over to the deputy national chairman from the North when he left on leave a few weeks ago. The man from the same zone as the national chairman will take over when there is a vacancy, according to the party’s constitution. His successor cannot be from a different zone.

If you also remember, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, the deputy national chairman (South), had to step in despite his health issues when the former national chairman, Uche Secondus, was ousted. Everyone agreed with that because it was stated in our party’s constitution.

“Are they claiming to be bigger than the party when they say Ayu must resign despite the NEC’s vote of confidence? In actuality, Wike and his faction are aware that they lack the necessary votes to oust Ayu from office. The majority of the party’s participants firmly support him. Even if he voluntarily stands aside, the deputy national chairman from the North would take over as leader of the party’s campaign, according to our source.

Senator Chris Ekpenyong, a lawmaker for the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, also spoke out and stated that Wike’s actions will only encourage more Northerners to support Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.

Ekpenyong, a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, claimed in an interview with Daily Independent that Wike is not playing the game as it should be and that the PDP’s constitution cannot be abandoned because of one person.

Contrary to concerns voiced in certain sectors that PDP will lose the presidential election as a result of Wike’s refusal to collaborate with Atiku, he asserted that Atiku will win by a wide margin.

“PDP will prevail in the 2023 presidential election, and I believe it will be by a wide margin. The actions of my brother Wike would only encourage the North to support Atiku. Wike is currently polarizing the North and South and causing the North to cast a negative gaze our way. Being the minority is the worst case situation. So Wike is not doing a good job of playing his game.

Wike is my sibling. I’ll still be glad if he accomplished what he did to God’s glory, but that’s not how you win games. Because he has a position of authority, not everyone must submit to him, and the PDP’s guiding principles cannot be abandoned because of one man.