2023: Wike accepts Atiku as PDP’s presidential candidate, insists on Ayu’s removal

The Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, has accepted Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, he is insisting on Iyorchia Ayu’s resignation as the National Chairman of the party.

According to Wike, his effort for an amicable resolution of the crisis rocking the PDP, has been frustrated by rent-seekers in the party.

The governor, however, insisted that nobody can convince him to change his stance that the PDP should yield its national chairman position to Southern Nigeria.

Wike stated this when he hosted Cross River State PDP governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives, House of Assembly candidates, and local government party chairmen, at his private residence in Rumueprikom on Wednesday night.

This was contained in a statement by Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assistant on Media to the governor and made available to newsmen on Thursday afternoon.

The governor said the clamour for the chairman of the PDP to be zoned to the South would persist until justice, fairness and equity prevail in the PDP.

Wike stated “This is the period that power game is being played. If you don’t have it now, forget it. If anybody tells you, let (Iyorchia) Ayu resign after an election is conducted, then you are a foolish person.

“This is the time decision is being made. This is the time the presidential candidate, national chairman, and the leader of the campaign will sit, when the election is won in February before the president is sworn in, decisions would have been made.”