ATIKU, WIKE BATTLE FOR PDP INTENSIFIES AHEAD OF NEC MEETING

 

Ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled for April 18, there is palpable tension over the battle for the control of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) by the camps of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, investigation has revealed.

The tension emanated from revelations that Wike will remain in the PDP and work for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election, while Atiku will contest for the PDP’s presidential ticket.

On April 18, the North-Central is anticipated to offer to NEC its selected candidate for the role of National Chairman of the party.

Humphrey Abba, a former minister of police affairs, and Senator Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue State, have expressed interest in replacing Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP's fired substantive national chairman.

For strategic reasons, the two candidates who are both from Benue State, where Ayu is from have refrained from openly endorsing Atiku or Wike's team, fearing that it could backfire and cost them both the seat.

PDP stakeholders are worried that if Wike gains control of the party's structure, he will undermine the party and make it easier for the APC to win the presidency in 2027.

This is because Wike's body language suggests that he will probably support the APC in that race.

Wike had often stated that he would not run against President Bola Tinubu in 2027, implying that he would support the president's reelection over the nominee of his party, just as he had done in the general election of 2023.  

Wike has declined to formally step down and maintains his affiliation with the PDP. However, he works for the APC's leadership.

Should the party's structure fall into his hands, he will erode it so that the APC may continue to rule in 2027.

"This is the cause behind the evident friction within the party regarding who would prevail in the struggle to control the party's essence between the two factions," a NEC member stated.

Reporters learned that the NWC, under the leadership of Ambassador Iliya Damagun, the party's acting national chairman, had been hesitant to call the NEC meeting because of the ongoing manoeuvring between Atiku and Wike's camps.