Some loyalists of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants, Atiku Abubakar, says the party will not give in to the unreasonable and “selfish demand” of governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state.
Allies in the Atiku camp made this known when they met in Abuja on Tuesday to find a lasting solution solution to the internal wrangling within the party.
A top PDP leader in Atiku’s camp, who spoke in confidence, said Wike was underestimating the capacity of the North, insisting that the party wouldn’t dismantle its leadership because of the Rivers governor.
The source, who was present at the meeting, said: “We will not dismantle our leadership structure at this stage because of Wike. What does he want? The South has the Vice President in PDP.
‘’Isn’t that fair enough? If they are saying the South must produce the President, it shouldn’t be the West but the Southeast in the spirit of equity. Unfortunately, he has Ortom, Makinde and Ikpeazu with him.
‘’Ortom is with him for economic reasons. Makinde, like Wike, has succeeded in offending PDP leaders in Oyo. He has stepped on many toes. If he’s not careful, his re-election may not be possible. He will only win, if APC fields an unpopular candidate.
“Wike can’t kill PDP. Where was he in 1999? He is underrating the North. He doesn’t know the North is taking note of his utterances and actions. And they will pay him in their way.
‘’We are not giving in to his selfish demand. What does he want? He is already playing anti-party but we won’t move against him because we want peace.”