PDP Crisis: Atiku’s rift with Wike, G-5 govs beyond reconciliation - Analyst spills

As the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lingers on, the Governor of Rivers state Nyesom Wike has made it clear that he is not supporting the ambition of the party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

In fact, Wike recently cautioned those issuing threats in Abuja to have a rethink, else they will have problems.

Amid the crisis rocking the PDP, Atiku has been advised to move on and try his luck in the coming polls.

Speaking further, Wike insisted that the Integrity Group of the PDP and the G-5 Governors will not support Atiku's candidacy until their demands are met.

Reacting to this development, a legal practitioner who also doubles as a political analyst, Barrister Liborous Oshoma, noted that the crisis rocking the PDP is beyond the G-5 Governors' demand.

In an interview with Legit.ng, Barrister Oshoma said he does not see any reconciliation between the PDP, Atiku and the G-5 Governors, noting the aggrieved would not sheathe their sword to work for Atiku in the forthcoming general elections.

He said: "First and foremost, I do not see the PDP and Atiku able to resolve the G-5 crisis. Because it is obvious that apart from the issue of the party chairman, the G-5 has an axe to grind with Atiku, that is talking about zoning the presidency to the south. Because for some of them, it will be injustice to the south for a northern Fulani to also man the saddle eight years after the northern Fulani.

"Because it is give and take. Because it is the thread that has continuously hold down the ethics of our political fabric. so abandoning that thread for them could mean kissing Nigerian practically goodbye. So I do not think the issue is about Iyorcha Ayu, relinquishing his seat or it is about personal injustice in the party, it is deeper than that.

"So, I do not see them working for Atiku even though they are not going into an alliance with the APC."

Interestingly, the aggrieved PDP governors which consist of Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpazu of Abia; Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Ifeayi Ugwuahi of Enugu state have been solidly behind Wke insisting the right thing must be done by the leadership of the PDP.

The political analyst said: "Atiku has long ago made his point on reconciliation clear. I like the silence. he has consistently pursued the act of reconciliation and peace. But it is obvious Atiku understands that crisis is beyond reconciliation. It is about his ambition.

"Atiku would not want to relinquish his ambition or sacrifice his ambition at the altar of trying to satisfy the yearnings of the G-5 Governors. It is just like telling former President Goodluck Jonathan then in 2015, to kiss his ambition goodbye; the same way Atiku would rather want to go to the poll and try his luck.

"So, that is why he is reaching out to other people especially in the north outside of the G-5 governors.

"So at this stage, you can't tell Atiku to try and reach out to the G-5 because what the G-5 practically are asking for even though is not said is like telling Atiku to drop his ambition. And we also know that Atiku cannot drop his ambition.

"So, that is what is leading to all of this crisis, every other thing is secondary. And I also think really, it could have been equitable for the PDP presidential candidate to be zoned to the south-south and then micro-zoned to the southeast. But since that didn't happen, now some of the governors have agreed that the PDP has not been fair, to those of them in the south, it is now left for them to take a decision on what they want to do, which they are currently doing anyway."

While they have continued to make their grievances known to all, Atiku has also made efforts to appease them. The PDP flagbearer's move has, however, continued to hit brick wall.

The governors have insisted their demand must be met or no peace in the PDP. The lawyer advised Atiku, the aggrieved governors, on what would be in their best interests as the election draws near.