PDP Officially Flags Off Presidential Campaign In Akwa Ibom, as Wike, Allies Shun PDP Presidential Campaign Flag-Off

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has flagged off its presidential campaign in Akwa Ibom State.

The event is taking place at the Nest of Champions Stadium in Uyo, the state capital, barely four months before the February 25 presidential election.

Dignitaries in the South-South State include the party’s presidential candidate and former Vice President, Akitu Abubakar, his running mate, and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.

Others include Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and his Adamawa counterpart, Ahmadu Fintiri, former lawmaker representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye among other top party officials.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Atiku shared some images indicating that he arrived in Uyo last night. Expressing his joy being in Akwa Ibom State, the ex-vice president was accompanied by Okowa, Emmanuel, and Mohammed.

However, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his allies including Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde were absent.

The crisis rocking the PDP took a different dimension after Wike lost to Atiku in the PDP presidential primary.

Several talks to pacify the Wike camp appear to have hit the wall as the aggrieved governor has shunned the party’s activities, indicating that he won’t support Atiku’s presidential ambition.

Campaigns for the 2023 general election officially commenced on 28 September in line with the timetable and schedule of activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

Wike, Allies Shun PDP Presidential Campaign Flag-Off

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, was conspicuously absent at the Peoples Democratic Party’s official flag-off of its presidential campaign in Akwa-Ibom on Monday.

His supposed allies, including Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, also boycotted the event.

Their absence may not be unconnected to the Wike camp’s insistence on the resignation of PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

The Wike camp has argued that it is unethical for the PDP to have a northern PDP presidential candidate and National Chairman, noting that it does not reflect the national character of the party.

They have also alleged that Ayu promised to resign after the PDP presidential primaries if a northerner emerged as a candidate.

Ayu however has vowed to stay on as National Chairman and Atiku’s spokespersons have hinted that the presidential candidate has no intention – or power- to force Ayu’s removal.

In September, the Wike camp announced its withdrawal from the Atiku presidential campaign.

Campaign Flag-Off

Despite the Wike camp’s absence, the PDP campaign flag-off went on at the Nest of Champions Stadium in Uyo.

Present were PDP chieftains, including the party’s presidential candidate and ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, his running mate, and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.

Others in attendance include Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, his Adamawa counterpart, Ahmadu Fintiri, and the former lawmaker representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye among others.

The PDP campaign is coming barely four months before the presidential election in 2023.

Both Atiku, Okowa, Ayu, and Emmanuel took turns to address the crowd in Uyo, pledging to rescue the country should the PDP be elected into office next year.