POLITICS... Atiku, Wike Battle Soul of PDP As Governors Convene Emergency Meeting

From Abdul SULE (ABUJA)

THE unending crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has continued to gather steam as Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, battle over control of party structures.

The infighting has factionalised the national leadership and the Governors of Forum since the 2023 general election,.

Out of the 13 PDP Governors, Wike controls about four, Atiku about 6 and 2 non-aligned.

Last week, the fight got messier following suspension and counter suspension, leading to emergence of factional National Chairman, Alhaji Yayari Mohammed, and subsequent litigation.

The fight got to a climax when the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN.

In turn the Ajibade-led faction suspended Damagum and the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, deepening the crisis that has been rocking the party ahead of 2027 general elections.

Despite court order restraining the party from removing Damagum, Mohammed, who belongs to the camp of the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, resumed office on Sunday, with six Governors backing him.

Worried by this development, the Nigerian Governors elected on the platform of PDP might hold an emergency meeting today (Monday) to find a solution to the intractable crisis that have engulfed the opposition party.

Some analysts have averred that if the PDP Governors fail in this regard, then the party fortunes ahead of 2027 would be affected.