Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization has not given up hope that its five disgruntled governors will reconsider their decision not to join the campaign train of the candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The opposition party yesterday expressed optimism about a possible truce with the Group of Five (G5) governors, who opted out of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) due to the party’s retention of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman.
The governors are: Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Seyi Makinke (Oyo); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Abia) (Enugu).
They have insisted that Ayu step down to make way for a replacement from the South, arguing that the North cannot produce the presidential candidate while also holding the office of national chairman.
Dele Momodu, the Director of Strategic Communications for the Atiku/Okowa campaign, told a media briefing in Abuja yesterday that the prospects for reconciliation were very bright.
According to him, the five governors have expressed a willingness to reconcile with Atiku and the PDP leadership in order to work together in harmony.
“I am sure most of you must have heard that our governors, the Integrity Group, said yesterday that the window of reconciliation has not been shot permanently,” Momodu said.
“We’ve been working on it for a while now, trying to figure out how we can bring everyone under the same roof.” So, hopefully, in the coming days and weeks, all of us will be able to work as one family. “The PDP is Africa’s largest political family, and we want it to stay that way.”
The campaign spokesperson condemned what he called “constant attacks on PDP supporters during rallies,” citing recent incidents in Kaduna and Maiduguri in which some people were reportedly injured.
However, through its spokesman, Kamilu Shatambaya, the Maiduguri Police Command described the PDP’s claim that its convoy was attacked as false and malicious.
“The allegation was fake, a hoax, and an attempt by some misguided people to incite disturbances and disrupt the peaceful coexistence of the people of the state,” said Shatambaya, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
Momodu stated at the briefing that the campaign organization was in the process of submitting a formal report to security agencies and the National Peace Committee (NPC) for appropriate action.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), we were attacked in Borno state,” he said. We were attacked in Kaduna. It’s particularly unfortunate because most of the presidential candidates signed a peace treaty.
“So, we intend to report formally to the security authorities, as well as to the Peace Commission, because democracy does not come by force.” It is a game of choice.
“There should be no problem if I choose to support my candidate.” So, for me, firing dane guns, throwing stones, and wielding various weapons is a very unfortunate development.
“So, we hope you will be able to assist us in conveying to the authorities that the PDP is concerned.”
Momodu described Atiku as the presidential race’s leadership candidate, and that the prospect of him winning has made his opponents nervous.
He said Atiku has held campaign rallies in four states so far, with resounding success, and that the PDP will take its campaign to all 50 states.
Momodu described rallies as “carnivals of ideas” rather than “theaters of war,” promising that the Atiku campaign would be more active in the coming weeks.
He challenged other presidential candidates who can match Atiku’s fitness to hold their own rallies.
