The People’s Democratic Party has finalised plans to inaugurate its presidential campaign council on Wednesday, September 28, regardless of the withdrawal of some party heavyweights and prominent campaign council members led by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
The party revealed that all its programmes would be carried out as scheduled, adding that it had no plan to suspend them for any reason.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this to newsmewnin Abuja on Thursday.
The party made this position known after a series of meetings by its leadership between Wednesday and Thursday, following the pullout of the Wike-led group.
Wike, his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, ex-Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Bode George and other prominent members of the campaign council announced their withdrawal from Atiku’s campaign council after a marathon meeting in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
They hinged their decision on the refusal of the party chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, to resign from office, insisting that the position must come to the South for balance, justice, and equity.
The development compelled the PDP National Working Committee to summon an emergency meeting where the options before the party were discussed and decisions taken.
When asked if the inauguration of the campaign council slated for Wednesday would go on as scheduled, Ologunagba said, “All programmes of the party are on and we have no plan to stop.”
Describing the PDP as a party of law and order, the image-maker stressed the importance of playing by the rules at all times.
“The constitution of our party is supreme and the conduct of our affairs must align with it. Again, we are a party with tremendous respect for the law. So, all we have set out to do will take place as there is no reason whatsoever to do otherwise,” he added.
It was gathered that the National Working Committee has in the past 24 hours enjoyed tremendous support and goodwill from other organs of the party, particularly the National Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees.
The two organs were said to have expressed the willingness to play reconciliatory roles between the party and the pro-Wike group.
Chieftains back party
A former governor of Jigawa State and member of NEC, Sule Lamido, said, “Whatever the party says, that is our position.”
A former governor of a North-West state who did not want his name in print advised Ayu to remain calm, stressing that the vast majority of PDP members are behind him.
“The chairman was elected, not appointed and he was elected for a fixed term. He cannot be removed simply because a few powerful stakeholders want him out. So, I advise him (Ayu) to remain calm. This challenge will be over in no distant time,” he assured.
