Some supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential nominee, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, believe the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, poses a greater threat to the PDP’s flagbearer in the South-South and South-East region.
Some Atiku supporters are concerned about the rise of the ‘Obidient’ Movement, which supports Peter Obi in the South.
According to The Nation, the challenge from the Southeast – typically a PDP bastion – poses a greater threat to Atiku’s presidential ambition than the unsolved conflict with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
“The Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, may split Atiku’s votes in the Southeast and the South-South, and the campaign may be difficult for Atiku if he does not agree terms with Wike,” the source said.
“In the Southwest, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is hesitant to endorse Atiku’s presidential bid.” He believes that in 2023, power would transfer to the South. He’s set up camp with Obi.
“It is also a conundrum for Atiku to abandon key stakeholders, such as ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Senator Lee Maeba, and others who support him.”
While the Atiku camp sees several South-South states as vulnerable, such as Cross River and Edo, there are efforts underway to reach out to Peter Obi in order to forge a mutually beneficial working partnership.
According to reports, Atiku supporters are attempting to capitalize on the two presidential contenders’ long-standing political friendship.
Governor Wike’s supporters have requested that Taofeek Arapaja be appointed as the PDP’s acting national chairman.
Atiku and Wike, along with several governors, have been at odds since May 2022, when Atiku was elected as the PDP’s presidential candidate. The crisis erupted on June 16 when Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced as Atiku’s running mate. Attempts to bring all sides together have failed.
On Thursday, Atiku met with Wike in London, along with the governors of Abia, Benue, Adamawa, and Oyo States. Other PDP stakeholders, like as Donald Duke, were in attendance.
According to Premium Times, Wike’s group sought the resignation of the national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, at the meeting as a prerequisite for sitting down to negotiate with Atiku for the group’s support in the upcoming presidential election.
Wike’s faction argued that Ayu’s departure would balance the party’s leadership, as all of the top national posts in the PDP are held by members from the country’s northern zones.
According to them, the PDP chairman has committed to resign if the party nominates a northerner for president.
