The 183 people listed as attending the PDP meeting today conspicuously omitted the governor of Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
According to rumours, the troubled governor threatened to quit the party if Senator Ayu was expelled by the courts. Although his deputy, Phillip Shaiubu, who has recently been at odds with him, was invited, it is unclear if he declined the offer.
Since the general election, this meeting is the first of its type. In what appears to be an effort to find a long-term solution to the internal bickering in the party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) will meet with significant players in the party today.
Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, David Mark, Ifeanyi Okowa, a former governor of Delta State, and Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, were all invited.
Bukola Saraki, the former president of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, Ahmed Markafi, and a few other members of the National Assembly are also anticipated at the meeting, which is set to take place at the National Secretariat in Abuja.
There were 183 expected opposition leaders, according to a statement made yesterday by the PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature.
The conference, according to a source at the party headquarters, is a reconciliation to allow the NWC to discuss with the stakeholders about the state of affairs in the party.