PDP Crisis: Atiku Weighs Options As Wike, Colleagues Refuse To Concede

Published

3 years ago

September 12, 2022

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is considering options to placate Governor Nyesom Wike.

The Rivers helmsman has been on the offensive since the party’s primaries in May where he emerged the runner-up.

Wike has been demanding that the National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu should step down if the Atiku camp is really interested in resolving the crisis.

The governor revealed that hours after the Abuja primary, Atiku told him that Ayu will go because it is unfair that the flagbearer and chairman are from the same region.

But the former Senate President and ex-Minister remains in the position, with no sign that he is ready to stand down.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) passed a vote of confidence in him last week, an indication they are not favorably disposed to Wike’s wish.

An Atiku Abubakar campaign organisation spokesman, Charles Aniagwu stated that sacking Ayu would have deepened the party’s crisis.

The Delta Commissioner for Information, who confirmed that different options are being weighed, fears a forceful exit of Ayu would create a constitutional crisis.

Aniagwu said because the offices were elective, if Ayu leaves and the seat is conceded to the South, the provisions of the PDP constitution would be offended.

He added that if the Chairman and Deputy spots are occupied by the South, the third person in the National Working Committee hierarchy, Samuel Anyanwu (from Imo) is also a Southerner.

“If you decide to bring these two positions to the South, have you also made arrangements to take the National Secretary to the North?”, he quipped.

While some party chieftains believe the party should placate Wike, others warn of the legal issues that could emerge and distract the campaign ahead of the general polls.

Wike already dismissed the resignation of Walid Jibrin as the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman and the emergence of Adolphus Wabara.

A source said Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman (South), was initially considered for the role but “did not accept it”.

The governor described the BoT as a mere advisory body, warning that he would fire more salvos if the right thing is not done.

Wike accused the Atiku camp of arrogance and claimed somebody in the presidency was backing the ambition of the Wazirin Adamawa.

“I will tell Nigerians at the appropriate time…the person in the presidency that is backing them”, he told a gathering in Rivers.

DAILY POST gathered that some members of the party were planning to commence legal actions in the event Ayu is sacrificed.

However, governors loyal to Wike, including Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), are not shifting ground.

Makinde has turned down an offer to become the Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum; Ugwuanyi is also not keen to serve as the Presidential Campaign Secretary.

There are speculations that Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who stepped down for Atiku during the primary, will lead the Presidential Campaign.l

Two PDP, LP Reps Dump Parties For APC

Published

10 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) on Tuesday lost one lawmaker each in the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors — Hon. Peter Akpanke and Hon. Paul Nnamchi — formally announced their switch during plenary, with their defection letters read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Akpanke, who was elected on the PDP platform, represents Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara Federal Constituency of Cross River State. Nnamchi, elected under the LP, represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency of Enugu State.

Both lawmakers attributed their defections to internal crises within their former parties and their desire to support and align with the policies and programmes of the APC-led Federal Government.

Their decision was greeted with applause by APC members in the chamber, as Speaker Abbas congratulated the duo on their new political move.

Politics

JUST IN: SDP Suspends National Chairman Gabam, Auditor, Youth Leader

Published

12 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Shehu Gabam, along with two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Chukwuma Uchechukwu, National Youth Leader, over allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation and diversion of party funds.

Their suspension was contained in a statement issued and made available to Vanguard by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.

It reads, “The decision followed resolutions made by members of the National Working Committee (NWC), where overwhelming evidences were presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without any approvals of the NWC.

“This development first came to light when it was discovered that the National Chairman had sent an unauthorised Financial Statement to INEC as demanded from all political parties.

“A summary of the fraudulent account was also published in the Newspapers. When the NWC got to know this, it made a resolution to report the fraudulent abnormalities to law enforcement agencies.

“The action of the NWC to suspend the National Chairman and two members of the NWC involved in the gross financial misconduct will also demonstrate to the general public that the Party, generally esteemed by Nigerians as a disciplined party and a credible alternative political platform for national redemption has zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office.”

According to Aiyenigba, “The decision to suspend the National Chairman and other implicated NWC members is to allow for a thorough, investigation. Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times,” the statement read.

“An interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.

“In the interim, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar has assumed leadership of the party as Acting National Chairman as per the provisions of the Constitution of the party.”

Aiyenigba alleged that “the misappropriated funds amount to hundreds of millions of naira, including donations and resources realised from the sales of nomination forms in the 2023 general elections and other funds from the party accounts.

“The suspension of these officers has been communicated to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and all relevant agencies.”

He said that “the suspension of Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and Uchechukwu Ogbonna Chukwuma takes immediate effect.”

Politics

Drama As PDP Staff Shut Offices, Reject Anyanwu’s Return

Published

14 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

In a dramatic fashion, management and staff of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Secretariat, yesterday shut their offices and staged a mass walkout in protest against Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s attempt to forcibly reclaim his position as national secretary.

The protest came after the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, appointed Setonji Koshodeo as acting National Secretary, an appointment the staff had earlier pledged to support.

According to multiple sources who spoke to Vanguard in Abuja, Anyanwu arrived at the party headquarters with suspected thugs and tried to take control of the national secretary’s office.

But staff members, determined not to recognise or work with him, quickly mobilised and vacated the premises, leaving Anyanwu stranded and visibly embarrassed.

One of the protesting staff members said: “Anyanwu and his people entered the building. It wasn’t just an attempt, they actually went straight into the national secretary’s office with some of his aides.”

As the standoff continued, the PDP secretariat remained deserted, with staff insisting they would not return until Anyanwu vacated the office.

The protest was a show of loyalty to the NWC. Back in May, the staff had publicly pledged to support the committee’s decision, insisting that Koshoedo’s appointment followed the party’s internal procedures.

Another source revealed that Anyanwu was later advised by his aides to leave quietly to avoid further humiliation.

“We had all left our offices and walked out in protest. That firm action led to his exit,” the source said.

Explaining further, the staff added: “When he realised the atmosphere was hostile and there was no one left to work with, apart from the few people he came with, his aides advised him to leave, rather than remain in such an awkward situation.”

The incident has triggered accusations within the party, with some staff alleging that Anyanwu is a ‘mole’ planted by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to cause chaos within the PDP, ahead of the 2027 elections.

Although unconfirmed, these allegations have added to growing tension within the party.

The walkout has raised fresh concerns about the PDP’s internal unity and its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

As the main opposition party, some fear its credibility could suffer if the leadership crisis is not quickly resolved.

The situation highlighted the growing factionalisation within the party and the challenge of staying united.

The PDP has not yet issued an official statement on the matter. Attempts to reach the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls to his phone.