PDP Crisis: Wike Is An Asset To The Party

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George has described the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as an asset to the party.

George stated this amidst the crisis rocking the party and Wednesday’s declaration by the Wike camp not to support the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar except the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu resigns and is replaced by a southerner.

He argued that when almost everyone deserted the PDP following its back-to-back losses in presidential elections, it was Wike that provided the needed leadership, and gave his all to ensure the party remains afloat and relevant.

George also blasted Atiku for ‘fleeing’ to Dubai after losing the presidential election in 2019.

He said: “Wike is an asset to the party. There was a vacuum, Atiku came back and got the ticket last time, and immediately after that convention, he left the country for about a year or more. Who was the key man supporting the party?”

“We were back in opposition. Did he not spend his time and money making sure, with some other governors, so how can he not be an asset to the party?

“If you put your time and spend your money and wisdom, ensuring that the party didn’t collapse, would you be an asset or otherwise.”

Don’t Divide The PDP

George warned that the current failure to rotate offices as allowed in the party’s constitution is an invitation to “unnecessary division”.

He argued that for the sake of justice, unity and inclusiveness, PDP must adhere to the principle of zoning and rotation of offices.

In his words, “I have been pleading with all sides that don’t let us turn this party to northern Peoples Democratic Party and southern Peoples Democratic Party. If we do that, the good wishes of the founding fathers would be lost.

“If we bring about this unnecessary division, we are sending everybody back to the early time, the first republic, the second republic, it would portend evil.

“Wike lost that election. Atiku won. The PDP constitution, section 7 (3C) states that you must adhere to the principle of zoning and rotation, of elective offices and party offices.

“The founding fathers stated that once a presidential candidate is from the north, after eight years, it must go to the south. For our party.”