PDP CALLS AN EMERGENCY MEETING OVER GOVERNORS, OTHERS JOIN IN

Following the withdrawal of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Oyo State counterpart Seyi Makinde, ex-Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana, and other prominent party chieftains from the party's presidential campaign council, the Peoples Democratic Party leadership called an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

After a meeting at Wike's private residence in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday morning, the Wike camp announced their intention not to participate in the campaign council, which was scheduled for inauguration next Wednesday.

They based their decision on the refusal of the party's Chairman, Lyorchia Ayu, to resign, claiming that the position must be transferred to the South for balance, justice, and equity.

In response to the news, the main opposition party held a marathon meeting to discuss the impact of the withdrawal on the party's plans.

Debo Ologunagba, the party's spokesman, confirmed to Newsmen on Wednesday that the party had been meeting since Wike's camp announced their withdrawal from the campaign council, adding that the National Working Committee's decision would be announced today (Thursday)

"As a party, we need to take a firm position to rebuild and rebrand our party. We have been in a marathon meeting since morning (Wednesday). But one thing is clear, no one has rejected our presidential candidate: that is very important. The meeting will continue tomorrow (today) and after the meeting, we will make our position clear," he stated.

But the Wike camp insisted that only the removal of Ayu would make them rescind their decision.

MON DIARIES Wike, who lost the presidential election to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the May primaries, has so far refused to be swayed by offers to collaborate with Ayu.

In response to the withdrawal from his campaign council on Wednesday, Atiku reiterated his decision not to intervene in the demands for Ayu's removal in a statement he personally signed.