PDP crisis: What are we fighting for?
~ Governor Nyesom Wike
Governor Nyesom Wike: PDP’s season of repercussion is here to stay if the party fails to listen to calls for equity and justice
“What are we fighting for”, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State asked a couple of days ago.
He was addressing members of a delegation who at the weekend paid him a solidarity visit in Port Harcourt.
“I have continued to challenge them”, the Governor continued, “What is the problem?
“What I said and will continue to say is that all of us are from this country. Nobody is a second class citizen.”
Apparently, Governor Wike was reacting to the recent resignation of a notable PDP chieftain from the South East, Professor Alphonsus Bosah Chukwurah Nwosu.
Nwosu had said on January 12 while pulling out of the party that his conscience could no longer allow him to be part of what is playing out.
“This resignation for me is a matter of CONSCIENCE and PRINCIPLE because of the Party’s inability to adhere to the ROTATION provision in its (PDP) Constitution.
“The journey to rotational presidency between the North and South of Nigeria has been a long and arduous one and I have been involved.
“Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must learn to keep to an agreement reached by a Constituent Assembly (1995); and enshrined in the Party’s (PDP) Constitution (1998)”, Nwosu, a leader of Igbo extraction from Otolo Nnewi in Anambra State, said in the letter.
Close associates of the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are hinting that the standard bearer was stunned by Nwosu’s resolve to dump him at this stage.
Both men have very close over the years. Insiders reveal that Atiku has enormous respect for the former Minister of Health.
Wike said that the exit of the former member of the Board of Trustees was proof that a gross violation of basic party principles is going on.
“Recently Prof. A.B.C Nwosu resigned from the party, saying his conscience will not allow him” to be part of the abuses that are taking place, Wike remarked.
Exchanging views with members of an official delegation from Ogu\Bolo, the Chief Executive stressed, “The constitution of the party is clear, if you take this, these other people will take that.”
“Why now are we saying that we won’t do it again?”, Governor Wike queried.
In the South East, Professor Nwosu’s resignation has thrown a spanner in the works.
“It would ruin Atiku’s chances in the East. The PDP has indeed lost a strong pillar”, an Igbo politician who did not want to be named said.
“We have watched the dance steps of Atiku and Ayu. They have a hidden agenda against the South”, the politician from Ebonyi State hinted.
Many in the country see Nwosu’s exit at this time as a clear vindication of the fight launched by G5 inside the PDP.
The G5 has continued to insist that justice, equity and fair play have been thrown over board within the PDP by people who want to take everything.
“What the people are saying is… If you take all, you will also face the repercussions”, Wike added.