Ayo Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti, has added his voice to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controversy by asserting that Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, is not opposed to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Iyiorcha Ayu, the party’s chairman, has been the target of requests for his resignation. Despite Walid Jibrin, the chairman of the board of trustees, stepping down, the conflict between the two has gotten worse. Wike was even more enraged when Senator Ayu received a vote of confidence from the PDP National Executive Council.
But Fayose asserted that Atiku and Wike are not at odds with one another and that adversaries who wanted strife in the party were behind the rumoured conflict between the two.
He said at the opening of the Obuama Community Secondary School in Rivers State on Friday: “For me, I want to believe his Excellency Atiku Abubakar is not against you, but let me say this quickly: A lot of people surrounding the throne are enemies of the throne, and a lot of people surrounding the throne have an issue to grind with somebody or some issues with somebody and they take it to where they are not supposed to take it.
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Wike was referred to by Fayose as the “spirit of the party” and a key player in its expansion.
“Neither a living thing inside this party nor a living thing outside this party will fail to recognise your contribution to this party. You continue to be the heart and soul of this party no matter how many others join you.
“Let me tell you that your good deeds will always be rewarded. I have learned a few things. The people who have benefited from you are the ones who have lifted people up, pulled people down, and worked day and night to make them successful.
The 61-year-old was hopeful that the party’s internal conflict would be resolved amicably and his goal was to campaign for election victory in 2023.
“I think the necessary will be done since all that matters is winning an election. Wike has not publicly declared that Atiku Abubakar is not a candidate for president.
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“I was there on the second day following the election when our candidate, the former Vice President, paid a visit to Governor Wike’s home. We had a good time talking to one other and were all pleased. Everything was set up for progress. We don’t want to make things worse, therefore I spoke at that meeting,” he stated.
“I’m only trying to reach important people. There are factions in every political party. Despite having the same family and different interests, we can improve. Please let this candidate win the election, people in the power corridor.
“Until it is our victory, we do not celebrate. They claimed that Fayose is Tinubu’s man, even in my state. People were leaving, including governors who were in office, but I didn’t. Some individuals think that in order for your leaders to succeed, you must first destroy them.
The majority of your adversaries now are not against you because of anything, Fayose praised Wike’s accomplishments.
“They’re against you because they know you can do it; they’re against you because they know when you take over, they’ll come apart,” he said.
