A close ally of Atiku Abubakar has said that it will be difficult to suspend or expel former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ally, who spoke to Saturday Sun, said that Wike is too entrenched in the party’s leadership and that many of the party’s leaders are indebted to him.
He also said that Wike controls the party’s National Assembly caucuses and that he will continue to call the shots until a fresh leadership is installed.
The ally said that the PDP may hold an emergency convention to elect new members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) who will not be loyal to Wike.
‘It Will Be Difficult To Suspend Or Expel Wike From PDP’ — Atiku’s Aide
He said: “Wike was right when he said nobody can remove him or suspend him. He knows that he controls the different organs of the PDP form NWC to NEC, and even National Assembly caucuses.
“Wike funded the elections of many PDP governors who are in office, and they must have a say when you want to suspend Wike or expel him from the party completely. That’s the truth, and the PDP leaders understand this.”
He said that the PDP is currently focused on the different court cases on elections, especially the presidential tribunal. Once those cases are resolved, the party will decide what to do about Wike.
He said: “One of the ways to deal with him is to hold an emergency convention. That’s on the way. Once that’s done, Wike’s allies will be pushed out, and neutral people whose loyalty is to the party will come on board.”
He added that the PDP will also revisit the composition of the minority caucuses in the National Assembly who are loyal to Wike.
The ally’s comments come after Wike was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by President Bola Tinubu. Wike has said that he will not resign from the PDP and that he will continue to support the party.
The PDP’s decision on what to do about Wike is likely to be a major test for the party’s leadership.