Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his team have left PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s campaign council.
After a heated meeting in Port Harcourt on Wednesday morning, the team members agreed to wait to join Atiku’s campaign until National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu resigned.
They have stated that unless Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s National Chairman, steps down in favor of a southern candidate, they will not be involved in the campaign council in any capacity.
Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, recently appointed some of the group’s members to leadership roles and advisory roles on his campaign council.
Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State; Olusegun Mimiko, former governor of Ondo; Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River; Ibrahim Dankwambo, former governor of Gombe; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; and Mohammed Adoke, former attorney general of the federation, were all present at this historic gathering at Wike’s home in Port Harcourt.
Olabode George, Jerry Gana, Dan Orbih (South-South Chairman of the PDP), Chibudom Nwuche (former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives), Suleiman Nazif (Senator), Nnenna Ukeje, and other elder statesmen are also in attendance.
Over seven hours were spent in private discussion, beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20 and lasting until after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, September 21. George revealed the shocking conclusion during a briefing with reporters.
The Rivers governor’s camp made the decision a few days before the September 28 date set by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the day on which candidates are permitted to formally launch their campaigns.
Details later…
