Amid feud between aggrieved key party stakeholders, the People’s Democratic Party has disclosed that it has concluded plans to inaugurate its presidential campaign council on Wednesday, September 28.
According to the party, all its programmes would be carried out as scheduled and that it has no plan to suspend them for any reason.
Recall that Truthlive.net had reported that some party heavyweights and prominent campaign council members led by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike withdrew from the party’s campaign council over the refusal of the party chairman to resign.
The party’s decision was disclosed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba on Thursday.
PDP’s decision follows series of meetings by its leadership between Wednesday and Thursday after Wike-led group pulled out.
Earlier, Wike, Seyi Makinde, former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Bode George and other key members of the campaign council announced their withdrawal from Atiku’s campaign council after a marathon meeting in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The development compelled the PDP National Working Committee to summon an emergency meeting where the options before the party were discussed and decisions taken.
Asked if the inauguration of the campaign council slated for Wednesday would go on as scheduled, Ologunagba said, “All programmes of the party are on and we have no plan to stop.”
Ologunagba described the PDP as a party of law and order while emphasizing the importance of playing by the rules at all times.
“The constitution of our party is supreme and the conduct of our affairs must align with it. Again, we are a party with tremendous respect for the law. So, all we have set out to do will take place as there is no reason whatsoever to do otherwise,” he said.
Meanwhile, amid the tussle, some party chieftains have taken sides with the party and expressed willingness to work with the Party’s decision regardless of what it is.
Against this backdrop, former governor of Jigawa State and member of NEC, Sule Lamido, said, “Whatever the party says, that is our position.”
Also, former governor of a North-West state spoke under a condition of anonymity urged Ayu to remain calm, stressing that the vast majority of PDP members are behind him.
“The chairman was elected, not appointed and he was elected for a fixed term. He cannot be removed simply because a few powerful stakeholders want him out. So, I advise him (Ayu) to remain calm. This challenge will be over in no distant time,” he assured.