In an effort to end the ongoing conflict between them, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has rejected new initiatives from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
According to reports, the two met on Thursday to try to resolve the situation, but Wike insisted that the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, must be ousted or resign, so the discussion came to a standstill.
When they met on Thursday at Wike’s private residence in Asokoro, Abuja, Atiku reportedly heard him say that Ayu must quit for peace efforts to start.
PDP Crisis: Party Chieftain Reacts As Ayu Vows Not To Resign
Former Senator Olaka Wogu, a close ally of Wike’s, stated to Newsmen that the Rivers Governor had emphasized to the former vice president that there was no turning back from his demand that Ayu be removed, adding that Wike stood firm on his demands.
Wogu stated, “I just want to set the record straight that no matter what you have heard, the meeting ended because Wike stood firm that there was no basis for any resolution until Ayu stepped down.
“Every other thing can be discussed, whether it is 2027 or not after the needful has been done. This will put the party in a position where the national chairman can go to every state to campaign for the party. There are some states where Ayu may not be welcomed.”
Wogu, however, dismissed reports that Atiku offered to back Wike for president in 2027, stressing that there was no such discussion at the Thursday meeting.
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He said, “There is nothing like that. I told you that talks are still ongoing between them. I won’t lie to you, but I cannot disclose the content of the meeting; the idea is to find whether they can reach an agreement.
“As you know, Wike has stood his ground that Ayu must leave for a sense of fairness, equity, and for what is right. He should go. This was even compounded by the fact that Ayu himself said he would go. So, as a matter of honour, he should go.
“Before now, Atiku had said that there were constitutional challenges to his (Ayu’s) removal. So between pleasure and force, we will explore the option. That was what Atiku said in London. This is like a follow-up; they are talking.”
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