PDP CHAIR MAY BE SACRIFICED FOR PEACE AS G5 GOVS DISCUSS

There are signs that Lyorchia Ayu, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is in jeopardy as the G-5 governors and Atiku Abubakar, the party's nominee for president in 2023, pull closer together.

The PDP candidate and the party leadership have been at odds with the G-5 governors since Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State was announced as Atiku's running mate. The G-5 governors are Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Seyi Makinde of Oyo.

The disgruntled governors, who withdrew from the PDP presidential campaign committee, have persisted in their demand that Ayu be replaced by a person from the south as a prerequisite for reconciliation.

As the PDP chairman was elected for a four-year term, he has stated that he will not step down. On the other hand, Atiku has stated that he cannot force Ayu to step down.

However, Atiku and Wike declared last week that they were prepared to put their differences aside and work together for the 2023 general elections at various forums.

According to reports, Atiku was forced to seek a resolution with the G5 governors after Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State threatened to withdraw his state's PDP from the presidential race. Atiku had previously stated in an interview with the Voice of America (VOA), Hausa Service, that he had moved past the party crisis.

According to several sources, top party leaders persuaded Atiku to look for a way to resolve the crisis after the Bauchi governor's threat and the possibility of him siding with the G-5, as it would be counterproductive for the PDP to enter the 2023 elections without the support of all of its governors.

The PDP chairman should be forced to resign, according to some party leaders, if doing so will help the opposition party's chances.

According to several sources, top party leaders persuaded Atiku to look for a way to resolve the crisis after the Bauchi governor's threat and the possibility of him siding with the G-5, as it would be counterproductive for the PDP to enter the 2023 elections without the support of all of its governors.

The PDP chairman should be forced to resign, according to some party leaders, if doing so will help the opposition party's chances.