Professor Jerry Gana, a Board of Trustee Member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was at his oratorial best. He was, also, at his contradictory best.
On the one hand, Gana told his audience to vote PDP in the upcoming 2023 General elections so as to sweep the All Progressives Congress, APC, out of power. But on the other hand, he told the same audience that they would be told where to vote if the efforts to reconcile the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike do not work.
Gana, a former Minister for Information under the General Ibrahim Babangida Military regime, and a close political ally of Wike, was sneaking in Porthacourt Rivers State, while flagging off the construction of the 12th over-head bridge to be embarked upon by the Wike administration.
Gana praised Wike to high heavens. He called him the best of the best. A performer. He called him the PDP pillar. Its poster boy. And a happy Wike lapped it all.
On the recent disappointments Wike has had in the Party these past few months, Gana asked Wike not to bother. He told Wike, not once, but twice, that Wike would eventually preside over Nigeria as the President.
Gana: “Your political future is bright. It is very bright. Age is on your side. Don’t worry. You will eventually preside over this country.”
On the efforts being made by the Party to reconcile Atiku and Wike, Gana said it was progressing but quickly added that if they fail “we shall tell you where to vote.”
Wike a former PDP Presidential aspirant, has been angry with both the PDP leadership and Atiku ever since Atiku beat him to a second place during the Party’s Presidential Primary held in Abuja. His anger boiled over when Atiku skipped him and picked Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate. Wike anxiously expected to be picked, especially when the Chairman of the Committee set up by Atiku and the Party to screen and recommend a suitable running mate for Atiku, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, revealed that Wike won 14 out of the 17 votes cast.
Since then, Wike and his Camp, which includes Professor Gana, have given the PDP a wide berth. Instead, Wike has been publicly flirting with the opposition APC. He has, also, been dealing with PDP members in Rivers State, perceived to be close to Atiku. They include his former allies Dr Abiye Sekibo, former Transportation Minister, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Senator Lee Maeba and former Governor, Celestine Omehia.
However, both Atiku and Wike have set up a Committee to sort out the crisis between them, and by extension in the Party. Professor Gana is one of those representing Wike at the Reconciliation Committee.
One of the conditions given by the Wike Camp for peace to reign is that the National Chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, should step down for a Southerner to emerge the Chairman since the Presidential candidate, Atiku, is Northerner.
The Ayu issue is an obstacle to the reconciliation efforts. Ayu has reneged on his promise to step down if a Northerner emerged the Presidential candidate. Now, he says he was elected for a four-year term, and would serve it out. Atiku, in an interview on ARISE TV, said Ayu would step down as soon as he wins the Presidential election.
The election has not been held yet. He has not won yet. And the Wike Camp is resolute in its demand on Ayu to step down now.
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