The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will sanction the members of the New Integrity Group lead by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State if they go ahead to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The much talked about alliance between the Wike Group comprising other four governors got more serious with a reported meeting between them and representatives of the Tinubu-Shettima in London where the deal was reportedl sealed.
The PDP is not taking the political romance lightly as indicated by a member of its National Working Committee, Timothy Osadalor, who said the party has what it takes to impose the necessary sanctions on the governors should they make real their threat of dumping the party’s presidential candidate.
Osadolor, who is the Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, challenged Wike and Co to endorse their preferred candidate so the party could take appropriate steps against them.
“These governors know the party they belong to; they know what the party can do. Should they take this step they have been working on for a while now and the party will do what is necessary.
“These governors know the party they belong to; they know what the party can do. Should they take this step they have been working on for a while now and the party will do what is necessary.
“We want to believe that they are in the United Kingdom for vacation and so reacting to speculations is not what we should be doing now.
“We want to assure Nigerians that if they take that decision and support a candidate other than ours, the PDP will act. Let me put it straight: this party has the capacity to discipline them and any member who tries to undermine its will,’’ Osadolor said
PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba concurred with Osadolor, saying the party would apply relevant provisions of its constitution when the need arose. According to him, all members, including the governors are aware of this.
“The PDP is a party of constitution, rules and procedures. We don’t react to speculations. In taking decisions, we look at the our party constitution in relation to issues. Whatever happens, it is the constitution that will guide the action we will take.
“These governors are conversant with the PDP constitution having sworn to uphold it. If they take that action (endorse a rival presidential candidate), we will take a decision in line with the provisions of the constitution.
“They have contributed to the success of the party and they have also benefited immensely from the party. They should know that the provisions of the constitution are applicable to every member of the party.
“Reconciliation is not 100m dash but a marathon. We hope they will realize this and embrace the party for good,” Ologunagba said.
The APC PCC spokesperson Festus Keyamo gave an indication of the alliance between his party and the wike group.
Keyamo said the APC would exploit the festering crisis rocking the opposition PDP to woo the governors and their followers.
He said since politics is all about interests, he is optimistic that the G-5 will almost certainly count their costs before deciding to support any presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 elections.
“On our part, we continue to move forward as a party. Without making a specific comment on whether the G-5 governors will join us or if they are in talks with us, you should know that our party is big enough to accommodate different interests.
“We have proven that before in different states of this country. I don’t think there is any fear at all if Wike decides to extend an olive branch to us and if he decides to make rapprochement or overtures to the APC. The APC is large enough to accommodate and even make him happier that he was when he held sway in the PDP.”
