Former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki has described last Friday’s visit to Port Harcourt by the Governors of Ekiti, Ondo, and Lagos states, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Mr Olurotimi Akeredolu, and Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to their Rivers State counterpart, Mr Nyesom Wike, as a futile exercise.
Also, as the plot by some southern governors elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform to depose the party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, thickens, the embattled former President of the Senate has returned to the country to meet with governors and other stakeholders, It has been learnt.
The three APC governors were said to be in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, wooing the disgruntled PDP governor to the ruling APC.
But Saraki, speaking to journalists on Friday night in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, said it would amount to nothing at the end of the day, adding that the PDP would not allow Wike to leave the main opposition party.
“Governor Wike is an important member of our party, and I am very confident that we will sit down and address all of the issues,” he said.
“There is no doubt that he has reason to feel this way, but there are better ways to resolve issues like this.”
“The good news is that we’re all talking to one another. We have control of the situation, and the PDP will unite and fight to win the next elections.
“I assure you that PDP will resolve its current family issues,” he said.
“The fact that some APC governors went to see their colleague, trying to capitalise on what they think is an issue, is a gross miscalculation,” Saraki added. “At the end of the day, their visit is pointless.” The APC governors understand that it is precisely this type of crack that they must seize. Fortunately, we are not going to give him (Wike) to them because the election is too important.
“The fates of millions of Nigerians are too important, even bigger than any party or individual.” I appreciate it, as do all of our stakeholders, and Governor Wike himself.”
The ex-governor of Kwara State blamed the current university union strike in Nigeria on the federal government’s insensitivity.
Senator Saraki added, “There is no way I will be part of the government as Senate President, and ASUU and other university unions will go on strike for months.”
It is a lack of compassion and dedication. It is a matter in which the government should lock itself in a room and not come out until the issue is resolved.
“I’ve never seen such dedication.” I’m not sure if you saw it.
“That is the difference between the PDP government and what we now have.” “It could not have happened under Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan,” Saraki said.
He did, however, predict that the PDP would form the next government in order to return the country’s governance to the people and improve their socioeconomic well-being.
Meanwhile, as the plot by some southern governors elected on the PDP platform to depose the party’s National Chairman, Ayu, thickens, the embattled former President of the Senate has returned to the country to meet with the governors and other stakeholders.
According to reports, some governors are pushing for Ayu’s removal from office in accordance with the zoning principle, which states that the party’s national chairman and presidential candidate should not come from the same geographical zone.
The investigation also revealed that, with Ayu’s return from vacation, the party has activated a series of meetings to quell the agitation for his removal from office.
According to some party leaders who spoke, he rushed back to Nigeria to meet with the aggrieved stakeholders.
According to multiple sources, the calls for his resignation are being fueled by members of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s camp, who believe the former Senate President was not neutral and instead supported former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the presidential primary.
It was also reported that some PDP governors who support Ayu, including his state governor, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, have intervened to keep him in office.
In order to appease Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Mr Walid Jubrin, is said to be championing a reconciliation meeting with the party’s governors.
According to a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), “the governors of the party are not insisting that Atiku change Okowa.” No! We want to put all issues on the table and decide who gets what.
“The National Chairman has returned, and he has scheduled a series of meetings to address this perceived crisis, including agitations for his removal.”
“When he returns to the country, he is expected to meet with PDP governors, BoT members, and even former PDP governors and Atiku.” Ayu is expected to use the Sallah break to reach out to those who have been wronged as well as those who are perceived to be his friends.
“The subsequent meetings must address power-sharing when the PDP comes to power.”
“It will not be blind obedience.” Every group must be aware of what is available to it. “We are confident that after the meetings, these agitations will subside,” the NWC member said.
According to the source, it was agreed during the pre-convention stages in October 2021 that if the presidential candidate comes from the North, the National Chairman should resign.
He contended that “this may not be the best time for a top-level leadership change, but what needs to be addressed should be addressed.” We are confident that, with Ayu, the series of consultations and meetings with the PDP governors’ forum and other stakeholders will begin immediately after the Sallah break. The expected talks will begin after the break.”
Some party members have also insisted that Ayu’s position be given to the South-east for equity and justice.
To appease the zone, the stakeholders stated in a memorandum submitted to the BoT that the South-east should be considered for the position of national chairman.
Jibrin, the chairman of the PDP BoT, said he would meet with Atiku to present the BoT’s recommendations.
According to him, Atiku should lead the reconciliation talks with Wike.
“Wike should be given a sense of belonging,” he said.
Jibrin insisted that the BoT had already formed a high-level committee led by Atiku and 13 party governors to meet with the disgruntled politicians, particularly Wike and his supporters.
“There are numerous issues concerning campaign strategies, including the formation of committees to handle critical issues that have been left unresolved.” “We can’t do anything about these until the presidential candidate is present,” he added.
