Cracks widens as Wike, Ortom Makinde, others invite another PDP Governor into its fold
Crisis rocking opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new twist as the five aggrieved Governors begun moves to woo Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed into the anti-Atiku forces.
The G5, comprising Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), is expected to meet Mohammed today in Bauchi, capital of Benue State.
However, to forestall the expansion of intra-party opposition to him, the Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, held a meeting with the Bauchi Governor yesterday, shortly after returning to the country from his trip abroad.
Also, former House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and former Bauchi State Governor Adamu Muazu have joined forces with Atiku against the Bauchi governor.
According to The Nation, Mohammed had complained to the National Chairman, Dr. Iyiochia Ayu, that Atiku had sidelined him by refusing to visit him after the Presidential primary, although he visited other aspirants.
He also alleged that Atiku was frustrating his re-election bid.
Mohammed, who is the vice Chairman of the Atiku Campaign Council in the Northeast, also alleged that Atiku picked campaign coordinators from his state without consultation with him.
In his view, Atiku was bent on “punishing him for contesting the Presidential primary and not stepping down for him”.
Mohammed’s letter of November 3 to the National Chairman forced Ayu to lead a delegation to Bauchi last Saturday to appease him.
There were indications yesterday that the five aggrieved governors have capitalized on the sidelining of Mohammed by Atiku to woo him to their side.
A source, who spoke in confidence with The Nation correspondent, said: “Since Atiku is yet to meet peace terms with Bala and other stakeholders, the G-5 has been mounting pressure on him to join their team in the battle against Atiku.
Dear Readers, Good and credible news reportage is tedious task and requires huge finances.
We are soliciting your Noble support for as low as N1,000 your support would go a long way in assisting us to continue to guarantee our readers quality news.
Bank transfers can be made to:
Account Name: Harvest and Commercial
Bank: Sterling Bank
Account Number: 0078627735