Makurdi: Finally putting to rest any hope for a reconciliation of the internal crisis that has been rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP since the party’s presidential primary, the G-5, Group of five PDP Governors opposed to Senator Iyorcha Ayu’s retention as PDP National Chairman have declared an all out war on the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
In a cocktail party, he organized for the group in the Benue State Government House, Makurdi, over the weekend, Governor Samuel Ortom roared, “To hell with Atiku and any one supporting him”.
Ortom had earlier accused Atiku of being an accomplice of the Miyetti Allah and Fulani Herdsmen who have been wrecking havoc in his state.
-The four others in the G5 – Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) – were hosted by Ortom who plans to launch state governorship and legislative election campaigns today.
A source close to one of the Governors said they resolved to increase and sustain their agitation for the resignation of Ayu, who enjoys the support of Ayu, the presidential candidate.The G5 also resolved to woo more aggrieved PDP members to their column from the six zones to give their onslaught a national outlook, and to mobilise to resist the “divide and rule tactics” employed by Atiku to destabilise their state structures.
According to the source, the G5 are under pressure to have a rethink and make concessions but are determined to fight on, following moves by Atiku to instigate some party chieftains against them in their states.“G5 is also fighting to keep its camp intact and resisting moves by Atiku to polarise them. It may also be possible that the Governors are receiving motivation from outside forces,”
“Part of their strategies is to attend fully any activity organised by any of them, particularly during the campaigns.”The source said the PDP has mismanaged the crisis by underrating Wike and his colleagues.“The battle started long time ago. It started ahead of the convention for the election of the National Chairman.
Although Wike and his group supported Ayu, little did they guess that he is a staunch supporter of Atiku.“But the challenge now is that if Ayu steps down, the five Governors may invent another reason not to support Akitu.”
