PDP BOT wades into Wike-Atiku feud; optimistic of truce

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has moved to reconcile its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

Rising from its meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, BOT member Abdul Ningi told journalists that the group’s committee of the whole would meet the gladiators to resolve their differences ahead of the 2023 polls.

Mr Ningi, however, did not mention the time frame for the committee’s job.

“We have set up a committee to interface between warring factions, particularly the acrimony brewing between the presidential candidate and Gov. Wike.

“It is a committee of the whole; every other BoT member is a member of the committee. I cannot tell you the grievances and the time frame,” he stated.

There have been reported internal crises within the PDP since the outcome of the party national convention that produced Mr Abubakar as the party presidential candidate and the emergence of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta as his running mate.

Mr Wike was considered alongside Mr Okowa for the running mate slot but Mr Abubakar sidestepped him.

Some reports say Mr Wike and his group are demanding the resignation of National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu as one of the conditions for peace. Ningi said the matter was not discussed. 

(NAN)