Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has reportedly got wind of an alleged plot by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to move against his allies.
The governor, on Tuesday evening, was reportedly told of Senator Ayu’s plan to undermine his close allies like the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and others.
Naija News reports that the likes of Ortom and Fayose, amongst others, have been vocal with their support of Wike after his was overlooked for the Vice-Presidential ticket of the PDP by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
According to reports, Senator Ayu was allegedly planning to use his position as national chairman to undermine the likes of Fayose, Ortom, and others in their various States.
Recall that a leadership crisis currently rocks the Ekiti State chapter of the PDP after its governorship candidate, Bisi Kolawole, lost the just concluded gubernatorial election.
A close ally of the Rivers State Governor told Vanguard that Wike, who is not against dialogue to resolve the party crisis, is insisting that Senator Ayu must resign in line with the agreement made before he (Ayu) was endorsed as the national chairman.
Wike’s ally stated that members of the governor’s strategy team, comprised of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Ortom; Fayose; former Governor of Gombe, Ibrahim Dankwambo and former Governor of Cross River, Donald Duke, would meet with Atiku’s people on his behalf.
The source told Vanguard: “The strategy team will be responsible for holding talks with Atiku and his men.
“Also, Governor is insisting that Ayu must step down from his position as national chairman since the party has picked its presidential candidate from the North.
“Wike is of the opinion that the North cannot have both the presidential candidate of the PDP and national chairman at the same time.
“He is also watching events in some State chapters of the party, especially where his allies are involved. He told some of his men yesterday that should anything be done to undermine the interest of his allies because of their support for him, even his team will no longer be available for any peace talks.
“For instance, look at what they did Ekiti during the governorship election. Look at how those at Wadata abandoned the party in Ekiti just because of Fayose’s support for Governor Wike. He (Wike) is has said that he will no longer sit back and allow any of his allies to be undermined under any guise.”
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