In what seems to be a move to avoid physical contact until the tense situation in the party is sufficiently softened, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has enlisted the help of the new Acting Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, in a renewed bid to end the crisis of confidence rocking the party. In addition to seeking Wabara’s intervention, members of the National Working Committee would visit the main protagonist in the face-off, Governor Nyesom Wike of River State, in Port Harcourt early next week “for full reconciliation”. The NWC members will be led by the Deputy Chairman (North), Amb. Iliya Damagun.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Simon Imobo-Tswam, the PDP Chairman stated these when he led members of the NWC on a condolence visit to Senator Wabara, who lost his wife recently.
Dr Ayu told Senator Wabara that, “As the new BoT Chairman with diplomatic experience. We implore you to use your diplomatic skills to reach out to all aggrieved members and I am telling you that it is with our full support including that of the Presidential candidate and Vice-Presidential Candidate who called me 30 minutes before we got here.
“You have our support. The entire BoT should select and reach out to them. We are appealing that they should come back and let us work together.”
The crisis which erupted after the May 28 national convention which produced Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the party has continued to linger, thus threatening to consume the party with Governor Wike insisting on the resignation of Sen Ayu as national Chairman.
So far, Wike has refused all entreaties, including the resignation of the former BoT chairman, Walid Jubrin. He described the BoT as a mere “advisory body” that is incapable of taking any far reaching decision on the party.
Ayu’s latest conciliatory remarks contrast sharply with his hard-line posture last week when he criticized those calling for his resignation as “children” who knew not when the party was formed. He also insisted he would not resign, saying he was elected for a four-year term.
”My understanding is that the party wants unity. “Thankfully you can play the role of a unifier even better with your immense preparation as a diplomat, former Member House Of Representatives, former senator and ex-Senate President who had worked with this party for a long period of time.”
He added, “I want to also reveal to you that the NWC under the leadership of the Deputy National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagun, will be going to see not only Gov. Wike but every other person who is aggrieved. It is the unanimous decision of the NWC and we think that your leading the fight for peace and full reconciliation in the party will be helpful.
“There is a time for anger and there’s a time for the anger to stop. So help us to reach out to all aggrieved members try and heal the party with your new role as the party Chairman of the BoT,” he said.
Wabara thanked him and other members of the NWC, saying he was overwhelmed by the show of love, support and sympathy.
“I appreciate you all. We will work together to ensure the party wins in 2023,” he promised.
