By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – A former Governor of Plateau State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Fidelis Tapgun, has dispelled the media reports making the rounds alleging that the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and the former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike did not exchange pleasantries during the just concluded PDP National Executive Council Meeting (NEC).
Tapgun said as a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT), who was also present at the meeting, he can confirm that the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wike, exchanged pleasantries during the NEC meeting.
“Some of the news reports that emanated from the meeting were propagated by the press. They said Wike at the meeting did not exchange pleasantries with Atiku, that is not true”, Tapgun said.
The PDP Chieftain who spoke with our correspondent in Jos at the weekend, also gave clarification on why the Minister of the FCT was allowed to attend the NEC meeting.
He gave the clarification against the backdrop of the concerns of many on why Wike who worked against the Party in the last general election would be allowed to attend the PDP NEC meeting.
According to him: “The PDP is known to manage crises. Everyone apart from Wike who worked against the Party in the 2023 general elections was allowed to attend the meeting because we need to forge a way forward”, he said.
Concerning the position of the Acting Chairman who many thought would have top the discussion of the NEC, Tapgun said it was agreed that the issue would be discussed at the next adjourned meeting because “this was the first time the NEC was meeting since after the general elections”.
Political observers had thought that the Acting National Chairman, Amb Umar Lliya Damagum would have been replaced since the ousted former national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu had withdrawn his petition at the Court.
However, Tapgun who spoke exclusively to our correspondent said that the caucus of the party had decided that the Acting Chairman will remain so as to give time to resolve all crucial matters rocking the party.
He said the decision has nothing to do with either Wike or Atiku as the party is beyond the two of them.
“The Wike and Atiku’s camp do not exist. No doubt there is a disagreement between them, but I don’t think it is what will divide the Party. It is also not true that it is Wike that is sponsoring the Acting Chairman, all these are media propaganda.
“The wisdom of not removing Damagum is to give more time for the Party to stabilize and not for anyone to think that either Wike or Atiku’s camp has been defeated”, Tapgun said.
Recall that last Thursday, the PDP NEC, against the backdrop of agitations from party members, resolved that Damagum should be allowed to oversee the conduct of congress in the States.
North Central stakeholders in PDP are asking Damagum to vacate the national chairmanship seat and allow their zone present a representative to rightfully occupy the seat as originally planned by the party.
