Ahead of 2023 presidential elections, some members of the opposition party, People’s Democratic Party, PDP have pulled out from Campaign of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential flagbearer of the party.
The camp of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State insisted that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, must resign from his position for a southern candidate.
Several efforts to resolve the ongoing rift between the Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike and Atiku had failed.
DAILY GIST understands that Atiku and Wike have been at loggerheads over a ‘violation’ of the party’s zoning arrangement between the North and the South.
Wike and his camp have remained adamant on the removal of the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu. The Rivers state governor maintains that the Party chairman and its Presidential Candidate can’t come from the same region.
However, on Wednesday morning, Wike and his team pulled out from Atiku’s campaign stating that they will not be part of any activities until Ayu is removed.
They insisted that the position must come to the South for balance, justice, and equity in the party, hence they will not play any role in Atiku Abubakar’s campaign council.
They also resolve that an acting Chairman from the South should lead the party on the national campaign, going into the elections.
They made their position known in a resolution read by former deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Bode George, after a long meeting held at Governor Wike’s private residence, near Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Below are the names of the Governors and chieftains that pulled out of Atiku’s campaign with Wike.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu
Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
Ex-Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang
Ex-Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose
Former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko
Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke
Chief Bode George
Chief Dan Orbih
Mohammed Adoke
Prince Chibudum Nwuche
Caleb MutFwang
Senator Sandey Onor
Senator Mao Ohuabunna
Hon. David Emmanuel Obugadu
Hon. Mohammed Maifada
Senator Suleiman Nozif
Hon. Nnenna Elendu Ukeje
Prof. Jerry Gana
Donald Duke
Hon. Bayo Lawal
Hon. Ibrahim Shehu-Gusau
Senator Olaka Nwogu
Mohammed Bello Adoke
Mohammed Jamiu
