A report by Daily Trust indicates that many leaders of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have agreed to support the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to replace the suspended former National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
According to the report, many stakeholders, including former G-5 leader Nyesom Wike, have zeroed in on Saraki to take over from Ayu.
Sources quoted in the report said the Wike group has decided not to leave the party but instead remain and work to retain their influence.
A source said:
“One of the ways to do so is to be part of the power groups that will determine the future of the party by influencing who leads the party from next year.
“Since the train, which is working to elect, Saraki is moving fast and getting more passengers, they need to quickly jump on it and be part of the forces that will propel the train to a successful destination.”
According to the source, failure to back Saraki would lead to the emergence of a hostile chairman who may move against them, adding:
“They know Saraki as a reconciliation, a bridge builder and somebody they can trust to be neutral and had the capacity and resources to rebuild the party.
“The exchange of visits between Wike and Saraki last week is the first step the Wike group is making.”
Speaking on the issue a top chieftain of the party said party leaders were looking for a strong character that can rally party members together after the Supreme Court judgement, depending on how it goes.
He said, “The Atiku group is comfortable with Saraki because they know it will be difficult to put their own person as chairman now because of the Wike influence.
“The visit is all about Saraki now trying to get a foothold across the party before the real hostilities start. You cannot say Saraki is an Atiku man or a Wike man so both sides of the divide seem to be comfortable with his personality.
“Even though Ayu is in court, I believe when the time comes, he will be told to withdraw the case, so that the party can move forward.
“From what we are hearing, Saraki is going around the party stakeholders to intimate them on his plans and the need for all to work together for the peace and unity of the party.”
