PDP Leaders Divided Over Decision To Sanction Wike, Makinde, Nnamani, Ortom, Others

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently mulling whether or not to sanction Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, other aggrieved governors, and other party leaders/members over anti-party activities.

Naija News reports that Wike and four of his aggrieved colleagues had pulled out of the party’s presidential campaigns, insisting the PDP’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, must resign or be removed.

Those in the Wike’s camp include his counterparts, Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia). Others are PDP former Deputy National Chairman Olabode George, former Governors Ayodele Fayose, Olusegun Mimiko, and Donald Duke.

It was gathered that party leaders are divided on how to deal with the activities of the aggrieved party members as they are highly placed individuals.

According to Vanguard, while some argue that Wike and co should be ignored and treated as a distraction, others believe it is high time the party leadership wielded the big stick.

Recall that Wike had openly endorsed the second term bid of Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the 2023 candidate of the 2023 governorship elections.

This was at a time the PDP candidate for the same election, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (JANDOR), was seeking the mandate of the people of Lagos State.

A member of the party’s National Executive Committee, who pleaded anonymity because the matter is yet to be brought before NEC, told Vanguard, “This issue is as complex as it is simple. How do you go about sanctioning a sitting governor, let alone five, in the middle of a campaign?

“There is no doubt that Wike and even one of our party leaders, a former governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, have gone as far as endorsing our rival candidates for the governorship and the presidency; these are clearly anti-party activities.

“Why do I say so? Section 58 (1) of our party’s Constitution provides that “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the party shall have power to disciple any member who says or does anything likely to bring the party into disrepute, hatred or contempt, (f) engages in anti-party activities.

“With what these two and others have done and are doing, is there any other proof one needs to call for sanctions? Actions should have consequences.”

Countering, another party leader said: “Politics and political party management is more complex than just sticking to the rule book. You are dealing with human beings who have rights and freedoms which should be protected. Moral suasion is the key to resolving this matter.

“Agreeing but not conceding that Wike overstepped his bounds of decency and commitment to the party, however, how do you explain our party’s decision to set aside its time-tested zoning arrangement with regards to the presidential ticket?

“We must also learn from history, we know what happened when four or five governors left us in 2013/2014.”