By Myke Uzendu
Following the impending implosion threatening the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a result of the fallout of its National convention and choice of Vice Presidential candidate, the party’s Presidential flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar, has stated that he will take all necessary steps to resolve all the grievances among party members and restore unity in the party ahead of the general election.
You may wish to recall that the choice of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar has sparked off fresh crises in the party as major stake holders were favourably disposed to Governor Nyesom Wike, who came second at the National convention.
Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom had on Wednesday in a television interaction said that he is still waiting on Gods direction before he will declare support for Atiku. He lashed in on the former Vice President for failing to contact Gov. Wike who enjoyed the support of majority of party stakeholders for the position of Vice Presidential candidate when he decided to settle for Okowa, stressing that Wike has contributed so much in the party and deserved a call or visit from Atiku as soon as he made up his mind to go for Okowa against the Rivers state Governor, who enjoyed the support of most of the member of the 17 man committee charged with the responsibility of picking a running mate for Atiku.
On the same note, former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele fayose, also said that he will throw his weight behind a Presidential candidate from the South, insisting that it is the turn of the South to produce the next president of the country.
The depth of the chasm in party became more visible with the call in some quarters that the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu should resign.
It was also observed that only two out of the 13 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were present at the inauguration of the party’s campaign council for Osun State governorship election on Wednesday at the PDP headquarters.
.
Reacting to the development, Atiku in his verified tweeter account said that the PDP is united and focused. He said that the leadership of the party is taking all the necessary steps to address on the misgivings in the party and ensure that the party is more united.
“The @OfficialPDPNig will remain united. Focus on our actions. We are taking action to address the feelings of all party members. The unity in our community is my priority. Our resolve to unify Nigeria starts in our party and moves to the community, then on to society.
“Every Governor, Legislator, and other elected officials produced by our party, and party members and loyalists, are much loved and respected by me.
“When they speak, I listen. I do not only listen. Appropriate actions have been taken, are being taken, and will continue to be advanced”, he tweeted.
