2023: PDP Crisis Worsens As Wike Blasts National Chairman, Ayu

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened Thursday as the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, insisted that the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu is incompetent.

Wike’s statement came 24 hours after Ayu lashed those calling for his resignation, describing them as kids.

There have been calls by the camp of the Rivers State governor that Ayu should step down as national chairman to balance the equation in the party. The crisis rocking the party revolves around Wike, who came second during the presidential primary of the party won by the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

With the position taken by the two stalwarts of the leading opposition political party, there is no end in sight to the ongoing crisis.

Replying to Ayu’s statement during the inauguration of road projects in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State, performed by Chief Olabode George, former South-West Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Wike said the recent show of arrogance, insincerity, lack of integrity and dishonesty by Ayu could jeopardise the electoral fortunes of the party in the 2023 general elections.

He said rather than unite all aggrieved members and galvanise them for the 2023 elections, Ayu has shown ingratitude by describing elected governors of states, who supported his quest as party chairman, as children.

“Dr Ayu said we are children. Yes, the children brought you to be chairman of the party. The children brought you from the gutter and made you chairman. Ayu, you were impeached as Senate president. Ayu was sacked by Obasanjo in his administration twice. Arrogance cannot take you anywhere. Now, we have seen that you don’t want the party to win the election, we’ll help you,” he said.

The governor dismissed the claim by Ayu that he is one of the founding members of the PDP. Wike said that Ayu abandoned the PDP at one time, moved to another party and therefore cannot have equal stakes with those who had stayed back to rebuild the party.

“A man who is inconsistent and ran away from the party, telling those of us who spent our time, sleepless night to make sure this party does not go down that we are children. Now, you have the temerity, the audacity to tell us we are children. We will tell you that you are the prodigal father.

“Nigerians have seen how ungrateful some of you can be, and that is why also Nigerians must be careful. If we give this man power, if we give these people power, are you sure they will also be grateful to Nigerians? As you make your bed, so you will lie on it. I have been quiet thinking that we will reconcile. Now that you have brought in arrogance to say you were elected, where did you campaign? Show me where your poster was, anywhere in this state,” he said.

When contacted last night if they have anything to say on Wike’s latest vituperations, Ayu’s spokesman, Simon Imobo said the chairman has no comment.

“The chairman will not say anything, please. There is no comment,” Imobo said.

On his part, the spokesperson of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said the leaders of the opposition party are united in their resolve to rescue the country from the misrule of the APC. Addressing journalists, Ologunagba said “We have differences. We don’t have crisis. We have disagreements on choice. There is no crisis in PDP. We have differences, which is in human nature. Issues are part of the family.”

Ologunagba explained that what obtains presently in the party are differences among some party leaders, which is normal in every human endeavour.

The PDP spokesman noted every member of the party, including Wike, is in agreement that the major task before the PDP is to rescue the country in the 2023 general elections.

He added that the PDP is going ahead with its programmes, stating that the Presidential Campaign Council would soon be unveiled.