Loyalists of Governor Nyesom Wike have pulled out of the presidential campaign council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after an early morning meeting in Portharcourt. 

Mr Wike’s caucus insisted that PDP chair Iyorchia Ayu must resign to form a united front ahead of the 2023 general elections. 

The meeting resolved that the published presidential campaign council list did not consider the strong opposition of the southern caucus against Mr Ayu’s continued chairmanship. 

Reading the resolution of the meeting, former deputy national chairman, Bode George, said the group would steer clear of the PDP presidential campaigns until its concerns were addressed. 

“The published presidential campaign council list translates to putting the cart before the horse. The pertinent issue remains the resolution of the leadership,” noted the Wike group demanding that “Senator Iyorchia Ayu must resign as the national chairman of the party for an acting chairman of the southern Nigerian extraction to emerge and lead the party on the national campaign.”

It added, “Consequently, we resolve not to participate in the campaign council in whatever capacity until the resignation of Dr Iyorchia Ayu.” 

With the campaigns officially beginning in a few days, the PDP has yet to harmonise its campaign front, indicating that there may be no end to the party’s internal crisis. 

The pro-Wike group, including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, will not support the presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar until Mr Ayu resigns, a step they consider to be in the interest of justice and equity.