The simmering ego war between the presidential standard bearer of the opposition, Peoples Democratic party, PDP and the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu on one hand, with five of its Governors on the other, has reached its climax.
The five Governors who rebelled against the party have individually indicated that, they have finally broken ties with the party chairman and the presidential standard bearer, even as both Atiku Abubakar and Iyorchia Ayu, announced that they have moved on without the five.
Initial reports indicated that, former President Olusegun Obasanjo may have brokered a deal with the Governors to queue up behind Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, but unfolding events point a a likely crack in the said deal.
The five Governors who from all indications have severed relations with the presidential standards bearer of their party, Atiku Abubakar, are in a seeming quandary over who to support for the 2023 elections.
While the arrowhead of the rebellion and Rivers state Governor, Nyeson Nwike prefers Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC: supported by his Oyo state counterpart, Seyi Makinde; others would rather stick to their initial plans of siding Peter Obi of Labour party.
Although none of them have come out to formally announce their preferences, their body languages leave no one in doubt, that they are no longer on the same page in the choice of whom to support.
Governor Wike, from the onset of the crisis has been hobnobbing with APC elements, so also is Seyi Makinde, but Samuel Ortom of Benue state seems to be comfortable with Peter Obi, so also Efeanyi Oguwanyi and Okiezie Ikpeazu, who serm to align with agitations in their region, routing for Peter Obi.
Our correspondent learnt that, the next meeting of the five Governors, slated for mid November, may no longer hold, as each of them have already given excuses as to why they may not be in London for the meeting.
With the EFCC searchlight, reported to have beamed on state governors, especially the sponsor of the trips, there are indications that the other Governors have developed cold feet on the too frequent travels.
Feelers around the five Governors indicate that they are also apprehensive about their own fates, given that some of them will also be on the ballot, on the same day as the President.
Explaining to the electorates on how they should vote for the PDP, when it comes to other positions and another party for the Presidential
election may boomerang.
Already, supporters of the Governors in their home states may have decided to go in one direction during voting, irrespective of the position.
In an attempt to keep their loyalists send to away opinions away from the PDP, Nyeson Nwike for example has appointed 100000 special aides.
These aides are expected to be used as liaison officers during the campaigns, and will be expected to cajole voters, into towing the line of the governor.
In Oyo and Benue states, followers of their Governors are not pretending about what they intend to do: which may be contrary to what their Governors prefer.
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