Ayu to Wike, others: I have no plan to quit PDP chair now

The peace talks between the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike suffered a setback yesterday because Atiku’s negotiation team did not show up.

The hitch was attributed to a traditional event in Yola, Adamawa State capital, which Atiku attended.

The peace meeting was scheduled for Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State.

Also, PDP National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu said he has no plan to resign now or in the foreseeable future, having been given a four-year mandate to lead the opposition party.

There has been pressure on Ayu to resign in line with an alleged agreement he entered into, prior to his emergence, to step down if the presidential candidate emerged from the North.

The Wike camp has insisted on the resignation of Ayu as a major condition to support Atiku in next year’s poll.

Also, Wike’s supporters have said that Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal should not be part of the reconciliation insisting that only a neutral panel should convene the meeting.

It was learnt that prior to the failed session in Port Harcourt, both groups had raised a seven-man team each to consider the terms for peace in PDP and collaboration for the 2023 poll.