There has been uncertainty and speculations in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), arising from the party’s presidential primaries where HE Atiku Abubakar emerged the party flagbearer. A lot has been speculated as to what the intention of Gov. Nyesom Wike (who emerged the runner up) could be in this regard, with some kicks coming from his camp against the flag bearer’s choice of running mate.
Some days ago, while making a public statement in what looked like an outburst, Gov. Wike averred that HE Atiku lied during his interview with Arise News. Albeit he did not state the nature or angle of lie but promised to reveal more information, thereby throwing everyone into a state of suspense.
Gov. Wike may not have made any other statement to clarify his fury or say much about the issue, so much has been expressed by his close cronies like Gov. Ortom (of Benue State), who complained about the procedure adopted for selection of Vice-Presidential candidate which did not go in favour of Gov. Wike.
Meanwhile, HE Atiku had earlier in the interview with Arise News clarified the ambiguity on his choice of VP candidate. According to him, the party was requested to submit three names for him to choose. The party thereafter set up a committee for this purpose and the committee recommended three names, out of the three names, he then picked Gov. Okowa (of Delta State), as his choice in his prerogative. He further stated that the committee did not give preference to any of the three names submitted contrary to speculations. Whatever the issue may be, I do not think it is unresolvable within the party.
Some political pundits and commentators are already predicting that Gov. Wike may be crossing to the ruling party. I do not think it has got to this extent, especially with the level Gov. Wike has attained in the party.
This whole drama is causing too much embarrassment to the party and everyone connected to the party. It is sending mixed signals down the line. Considering the edge PDP has after a disastrous seven years of APC’s misgovernance, this clash of titans is not worth it.
No doubt, many of us are fans of Gov. Wike, flowing from outstanding infrastructural achievement in Rivers State. However, Gov. Wike should be advised that this whole drama is getting too long and too much, it should end. In the best interest of our party, and in his interest also.
So many want the party to succeed, given it is the strongest alternative to change the maladministration and misrule of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which Nigerians are suffering. However, this can’t be achieved if we do not put every resource and person together.
I do not think Gov. Wike would defect to the APC. It is my personal opinion, and that is why I really want this issue to be resolved internally. The persons advising otherwise do not mean well for the party, neither do they mean well for Gov. Wike. They may be operating with toxic motives.
On the issue that is being said to be the cause of this brouhaha, Gov. Wike ought to know that participating in the party presidential primaries is not a determinant for getting a VP candidacy under the PDP, and it has never been. In 2007, the likes of Rochas Okorocha, Peter Odili and other aspirants contested against President Yar’adua, but it was HE Goodluck Jonathan who did not contest that was picked. In 2019, HE Peter Obi who did not contest nor purchase presidential form was picked as VP candidate. Even HE Atiku did not contest presidential primaries in 1999 before he was picked as VP candidate.
It is not written in our books that the Vice-Presidential candidate must be picked from among the presidential aspirants in the primary, and there is no precedence for that in our party. The VP candidacy is nobody’s entitlement. To a very large extent, it is at the discretion of the party flag bearer. Because, it is he who wears the crown that bears the weight.
I do also believe that it was not the initial intention of Gov. Wike to vie for VP. Otherwise, he would have lobbied for it, and would not have expended so much resources pursuing the presidential bid. So, what is the hue and cry about?
To be sincere, I do not think anyone chose Deputy for Gov. Wike in Rivers State. I also believe that no one would choose a VP candidate for him should he emerge presidential flag bearer of the party in future. We have to be fair in our judgment.
Who says Gov. Wike can’t still be president of this nation under the platform of the PDP if everything goes well? I therefore do not think there is need to burn down the house which would provide shelter for everyone tomorrow because of little cracks on the wall today.
The party equally has a big part to play in all of these. I do not understand the modus operandi of the reconciliatory mechanism of the party, to have allowed this issue to get to this level of disgust beats me. Elections are only few months to go, and campaigns would officially resume in September. We should not be having these kinds of unwarranted issues which are capable of ruing all efforts and labours.
The leaders of the party should put the house in order, employ every possible means to have this very issue resolved as a matter of urgency, and should not think of excommunicating Gov. Wike in any way from the party. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Those people fanning flames of dispute in the party, do not mean well for the party and even for themselves. They forget that if heaven falls, it would fall on everyone underneath it.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Elabor Joe Agbebaku, Esq
