2023: Wike, aggrieved PDP govs weigh Obi, Tinubu options

Tamarauemi Ebimini

Four out of five aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may finally take a position on the presidential candidate to support ahead of the 2023 general elections. The four PDP governors are Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

The other aggrieved governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, it was learnt may not align with the position expected to be taken by his four colleagues in the weeks to come.

The aggrieved governors who had earlier pulled out of the PDP presidential campaign, said during the week there is no going back on their demand.

A source familiar with the development said the governors, having failed to resolve their differences with the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, are weighing their options between Tinubu and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).

The source said Ortom appears to be the lone governor among the five, who may pitch his tent with Obi, while the other four will likely root for Tinubu if certain conditions already tabled before the APC candidate are met.

The source who revealed further details, said Wike, Ugwuanyi and Ikpeazu, are also demanding that certain positions in Tinubu’s cabinet be ceded to their cronies if he wins. He said though they will not resign from the PDP because of their candidates and interests, they’ll, however work for the APC from within.

The politician said: “Wike has already kick-started the move, with the appointment of thousands of aide, expected to man the various polling units during the elections in Rivers State.”