Both Atiku and Wike have been in a frosty relationship over moves to oust the party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, and the aftermath of PDP presidential primary.
Though a reconciliation committee was set up by the two leaders, the committee is yet to reach a consensus on ways out of the impasse.
This came on a day former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, asked Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to swallow their ambition and return to the PDP.
However, Governor Wike, yesterday, urged Makarfi to stop bad-mouthing him and be focused on ensuring he delivers victory in Kaduna for the PDP in next year’s elections.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the PDP in Edo State, has urged the party chairman to, as a matter of urgency, call a meeting of all PDP governors to fashion a way out of the feud between Atiku and the governor of Rivers State.
We can’t bend over backwards for him — Atiku’s loyalists
Some loyalists of the former Vice President faulted comments being made by the governor, saying they appeared deliberately skewed to keep everyone guessing.
The leaders are of the view that Atiku should call the bluff of the Rivers governor by “cutting our losses, move on and concentrate on building the party ahead of the 2023 elections.”
A party leader, who pleaded anonymity out of respect for the agreement, said: “It is heart-wrenching that this matter has dragged this long.
“It was agreed the last time that all parties desist from further making inflammatory remarks.
“It was borne out of this that Atiku caused a statement to be issued by his media team urging his supporters to bridle their tongues but this act of goodwill is not being returned in kind. This is quite unfortunate.
“I must say at this point that Governor Wike has made up his mind about what he wants to do. Bending over backwards to accede to everything he has asked for will be shooting ourselves in the foot.
“Personally, I rather we cut our losses, move on and concentrate on building the party ahead of the 2023 elections.
“We just made significant inroads in Kano with the defection of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and his teeming supporters. These are the kinds of things we should be celebrating.”
Another party source said: “My reading of the situation is that there are other local issues in Rivers politics that are being elevated to the national.
“Comments being made by the governor, with due respect to him, appear deliberately skewed to keep everyone guessing. The truth is we cannot wait forever, something has to give.
“The truth is that whichever decision you take in politics, not everyone will be happy or accept it for one reason or another. Our presidential candidate has demonstrated good faith.
“However, it will be disastrous for anyone to contemplate a leadership change at this time, the issue of anyone removing Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman before the election does not arise.”
Wike’s comments put Atiku on edge
Another PDP leader, who spoke in confidence, said Wike’s recent comments are putting the former vice president on edge, which is not going down well with the latter’s loyalists.
The source, a former member of the National Working Committee, NWC, said: “Wike is giving them (Atiku’s camp) signs that he will work against him. Wike is getting feelers that some interests around Atiku do not want the PDP presidential candidate to give in to his demands.
“Wike also has some people within Atiku’s camp, especially in the NWC. The anger with the Atiku camp is that Wike cannot be seen to be controlling the party. Also, Wike is expecting Atiku to give him an update on what was discussed at their London meeting but Atiku is yet to call him. That is why you hear Wike making those comments.”
