The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has yet to come down on Governor Nyesom Wike, the leader of the Integrity Group that worked against the party in the 2023 general election because he did not openly campaign for any opposition candidates.
The National Working Committee, of the PDP on Thursday, suspended former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, his former Katsina State counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema and two chieftains of the party, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State), Dr Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State) over alleged anti-party activities.
The NWC also referred Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee for disciplinary action.
Surprisingly, the leaders of the rebel group within the party have not been touched. Governor Wike led the G-5 Governors that worked against the party including Orto (Benue) Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ania’s Okezie Ikpeazu Abia and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu.
However, sources within the party said Wike, Makinde, Ipeazu and Ugwuanyi were yet to be punished by the party because even though they did not support the party, they never openly campaigned for any candidateof the opposition parties.
“It was as simple as looking at the level of infraction committed by each of those whose cases were brought before us.
“His Excellency Governor, Seyi Makinde, and his Enugu State counterpart, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for example, were not overtly hostile to the party in spite of the differences we had.
“These two party members contributed men and materials to support our presidential campaigns, especially in their respective states.
“They also didn’t openly canvass for support for presidential candidates other than Atiku Abubakar unlike Ortom who openly declared his support for Peter Obi and to add salt to injury also asked his supporters to vote for Obi.
“Even when there were speculations that Makinde and Ugwuanyi were supporting the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, they were diplomatic and subtle in their approach.
“We are a party governed by rules and regulations. For every action there are consequences.
“As for Governor Wike, his case is still being investigated; although he disparaged our presidential candidate, he was careful not to openly canvass for the candidate of another party,” a source told Vanguard.
