Wike vs Atiku – Makinde Reveals Candidate He’ll Vote For, Makes Demand

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has on Wednesday, reconfirmed his support for the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
He pointed out that he and his camp have no issue with supporting the candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

He however demanded that the leadership structure of the PDP should be restructured to reflect the inclusiveness of all stakeholders.

Specifically, Governor Makinde demanded the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as the PDP National Chairman and for him to be replaced by a southerner.

There have been rumours that Makinde, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu may dump Atiku to make a tent with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike ahead of the 2023 election.

Wike became offended with Atiku and the leadership of the PDP after the presidential candidate picked Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate, leaving behind Wike who came second at the party’s presidential primaries months ago.

There have been several meetings to reconcile the party chieftains but to no avail, though PDP made the public to realize they are not giving up.

Another major issue causing hiccups in the resolution is the call by Wike and his allies, Makinde, Ortom and others for the resignation of PDP national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

National daily News understands that major stakeholders in Oyo State have, however, pressured Makinde not to sacrifice the political fortunes of PDP in the state on the altar of friendship with Wike.

Atiku Is Our Incoming President
However, against speculations on parting ways with Atiku, Makinde on Wednesday at a meeting with party stakeholders, declared that Atiku is their incoming president.

The Oyo State Governor, however, maintained that Ayu must resign for inclusiveness in the South.

At his welcome address today in Ibadan, Makinde said: “The truth is that we do not have any issue either with our party or our candidate. If there are challenges they must be tabled.

“We are supposed to give hope to our people, we want them to listen to us.

“Our party wants to rescue Nigeria and our candidate is a unifier. He wants to restructure Nigeria.

“Eight years of the All Progressives Congress have left us sharply divided. The issue is we must practice what we preach. If we want to unify Nigeria, we must unify the PDP first.”

He stressed that if the PDP truly wants to restructure Nigeria, the party must have the willingness to bring inclusivity to the PDP.

“Do we have the capacity? The answer is resounding yes.

“The message from the South-West PDP is the South-West is asking that the National Working Committee of the PDP should be restructured.

“We are asking the National Chairman to step down so that the South will be fully included. That is the message,” Makinde said.