PDP crisis deepens as 4 governors threaten to dump Atiku’s campaign

Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba) are reportedly backed by several notable members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the evolving stand-off with Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers State, and his allies.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the objection of Governors Obaseki, Fintiri, Diri and Ishaku to the removal of Iyorchia Ayu as the party’s National Chairman was hinged on the fears within the party that the Wike’s camp would make more demands should Ayu leave his position.

Party sources said they have issued their own threat to dump Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s campaign should Wike and his group be allowed to have their way on Ayu’s exit.

“The situation within the party as regards the fate of our National Chairman has become more complicated,” a source said.

“While it is true that our presidential candidate is now less opposed to Wike’s demand for Ayu to resign, following the outcome of the meeting between the Board of Trustees (BoT) leadership of the party with Wike in Port Harcourt last week, Atiku had indicated readiness to agree with Wike and sacrifice Ayu.

“But there is a twist to the whole issue as some of our governors, peeved by Wike’s overbearing attitude, have warned the party not to toy with the idea of giving in to Wike and his supporters.

“I can tell you that Governor Godwin Obaseki, Ahmadu Fintiri, Duoye Diri and Darius Ishaku, among others, are now strongly opposed to Wike’s demand for Ayu to resign and have vowed not to allow such to happen under any arrangement.”

Atiku and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP are presently at the Ranchers Stadium in Kaduna State for the PDP Presidential Campaign rally in Kaduna State.

It is the second state the PDP presidential campaign will hold since the party officially flagged off its rally last Monday in Akwa Ibom State. Wike and his allies which include co-governors have shunned the events.