The rivalry between Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has intensified as they compete for control of party structures ahead of the 98th National Executive Committee meeting.
Various sectors and organs of the party have appealed to the acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee, to organize an NEC meeting to address issues such as alleged anti-party activities during the 2023 election.
With the 98th NEC meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 18, tensions between the factions led by Atiku and Wike have reignited.
The discord between Atiku and Wike stems from Atiku’s decision not to select Wike as his vice presidential candidate after defeating him in the presidential primary, leading to a rift in their relationship and within the PDP.
Subsequently, Wike campaigned against Atiku, supporting the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Tinubu. Both factions are now striving to ensure their loyalists from the North Central geopolitical zone replace Ayu.
Atiku’s camp has mobilized various independent groups affiliated with the party to request disciplinary action against Wike, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, and other party leaders associated with the G-5 group for their alleged anti-party activities during the 2023 election.
A party insider revealed, “Atiku and Wike’s factions are vigorously strategizing before the NEC meeting, aiming to secure Ayu’s replacement from their sides.
However, the PDP governors, despite their differences, are proceeding cautiously due to Ayu’s pending court case, which might delay the announcement.
Nonetheless, stakeholders from the North Central region are already backing candidates for Ayu’s successor.
This explains the emergence of names like Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Gabriel Suswam, and Babangida Aliyu.
However, due to the ongoing court case and consultations, it’s unclear which faction supports whom.
Certain groups, evidently aligned with Atiku’s faction, have petitioned the party, implicating Wike, Ortom, and other leaders in anti-party activities, urging the NWC to refer the matter to NEC for action.
Additionally, most state chapters and affiliated independent groups have submitted names of party members allegedly involved in anti-party activities during the 2023 election.
The agenda for the 98th NEC meeting, scheduled for April 18, includes discussions on the National Chairman, constitutional amendments, the 2023 review committee, state congresses, and other matters.
Addressing queries about Ayu’s replacement, another NWC member explained that according to the constitution, the North Central region holds the right to fill the vacancy.
However, this is challenging due to the ongoing court proceedings initiated by Ayu, currently at the Court of Appeal.”
“If he withdraws the case and resigns, the North Central caucus can easily convene to nominate his replacement,” suggested a source familiar with the matter.
When approached for comment, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba stated that the specifics of the NEC meeting would be revealed in due course.
He remarked, “I prefer not to speculate on what Nigerians should anticipate or what will occur. The agenda of the party’s NEC will be disclosed when we convene the meeting.
“I refrain from discussing this prior to the NEC meeting. Once the meeting is duly convened, the details will be made public.”
In response, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor emphasized the need for state congresses to address the expiration of state executives’ tenures, highlighting that electoral laws require notification to INEC before conducting such congresses.
“Only the NEC has the authority to extend the tenure of these state executives,” he explained. “Thus, the NEC will convene to address the extension of tenure for state executives. Additionally, committees established before the election will submit their reports to the party,” Osadolor added.
