Atiku optimistic of truce with G-5 governors

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation has not foreclosed hope its five aggrieved governors will back down on the decision not to join the campaign train of the candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The opposition party yesterday expressed optimism about possible truce with the Group of five (G5) governors, who opted out of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) because of the retention of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as the party’s national chairman.

The governors are: Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Seyi Makinke (Oyo); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

They have insisted that Ayu must vacate office to give room for a replacement from the South, arguing that the North cannot produce the presidential candidate and still hold on to office of the national chairman.

At a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, the Director of Strategic Communications of the Atiku/Okowa campaign, Dele Momodu, said the prospects of reconciliation were very bright.

According to him, the five governors have indicated a willingness to reconcile with Atiku and the leadership of the PDP, with a view to working together in harmony.

Momodu said: “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.

“We have been at it for some time trying to see how we can bring everybody under the same umbrella. So, hopefully, in the next couple of days and weeks, all of us will be able to work as one family. PDP is the biggest political family in Africa and we want it to remain so.”

The campaign spokesperson flayed what he described as incessant attacks on PDP supporters during rallies, citing recent cases in Kaduna and Maiduguri in which some people were reportedly injured.

But through its spokesman, Kamilu Shatambaya, the Maiduguri Police Command, described as untrue and mischievous the PDP’s claim that its convoy was attacked.

Shatambaya, an Assistance Superintendent of Police (ASP) said: “The allegation was fake, a hoax and an attempt by some unguided people to incite disturbances and disrupt the peaceful coexistence of people of the state.”

At the briefing, Momodu said the campaign organisation was in the process of making a formal report to the security agencies and the National Peace Committee (NPC) for appropriate actions.

He said: “Yesterday (Wednesday) we were attacked in Borno state. We were attacked in Kaduna. It’s so unfortunate because there was a peace accord that was signed by most of the presidential candidates.

“So, we plan to report formally to the security authorities, we plan to report to the Peace Commission because democracy is not by force. It is a game of choice.

“So, if I choose to support my candidate, there shouldn’t be any problem about that. So, firing dane guns, throwing stones and all manner of weapons, for me, is a very unfortunate development.

“So, we hope that you are able to help us send the message across to the authorities that the PDP is worried.”

Momodu described Atiku as the leadership candidate in the presidential race and that the fear of him winning the election has made his opponents jittery.

He said Atiku had held campaign rallies in four states so far, with resounding successes, adding that the PDP will take its campaign to all the states in the federation.

Momodu described rallies as carnivals of ideas and not theatres of war, promising that the Atiku campaign would be more vigorous in the weeks ahead.

He challenged other presidential candidates who can match Atiku’s fitness to go ahead and hold their own rallies.