Indication emerged, yesterday, that the leaders of the peoples Democratic party PDP in the South-West met in Ibadan, Oyo State to deliberate on how the zone could produce the National Chairman of the party.
This comes as Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike is keeping aloof with leaders of the PDP over his next plan aftermath a vote of confidence passed on the Senator Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, former Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose; state PDP chairmen and other party leaders went on a closed-door meeting.
The meeting, according to multiple party sources, is to discuss the future of the PDP in the South West and Atiku’s visit to Lagos and Oyo states.
While a source disclosed that Makinde and other party leaders may boycott Atiku’s visit, another source said the leaders are insisting on Ayu’s resignation to pave way for the South West to produce the next national chairman of the party.
The source said: “Atiku is coming today to Lagos and he is going to Ibadan on Wednesday, the plan is to boycott meeting with him. They want to be spoilers and I heard they are tilting towards Peter Obi. From what I know, former President Olusegun Obasanjo is the one guiding the Wike team to throw their weight behind the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi in 2023.”
Another source stated that Makinde and others are insisting on producing Ayu’s replacement.
The source, privy to the reconciliation committee, said: “Makinde’s position is clear and that is, the South West wants the chairmanship of the party. It is not as if the South West wants it alone, it is what is fair and just and that has been our position in the Wike team. It is not about Wike alone, so many people feel that is what should happen.”
On how far the reconciliation committee has gone, the source said: “It is in Atiku’s hands, the Wike team has laid its card on the table that what is fair and equitable is that once the presidential candidate comes from one zone, it is for the chairmanship to come from another, particularly when there was an understanding”.