By Musa Baba Adamu
A chieftain of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Olusegun Bamgbose, has said that the recent order by a Rivers State High Court restraining the chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from parading himself as the chairman, is an indication that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, will contest the 2023 presidential election using PDP platform.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, Bamgbose said that the Imo State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has highjacked the PDP, adding that a previous visit to Rivers State by the former Vice President is a political homage to prepare grounds for his 2023 presidential ambition.
He said the Port Harcourt court ruling signaled the end of PDP as a national party in Nigeria, adding that the party has now become a regional party.
Bamgbose said that this will ultimately spell doom for the party in 2023, adding that Wike and Atiku may be plotting to enter the 2023 race as running mates.
Recall that the leadership crisis currently rocking PDP worsened on Monday when the High Court in Rivers State restrained Uche Secondus from parading himself as the National Chairman of the party.
The order was given by Justice O. Gbasam of the State High Court sitting in Degema local government area of the State.
The judge also approved the suspension of Secondus as a member of the party pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
To this end, Bamgbose said “Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has succeeded in hijacking the party structure and thus become the most powerful member of the party as of today.
“It’s most unfortunate that one who was never a founding member of the party has now taken over the structure of the party. One wonders why Atiku Abubakar should pay homage to Wike in order to pave the way for him to clinch the party’s ticket.
“One won’t be surprised if Wike will eventually be running mate to Atiku come 2023. PDP has lost its opposition status and NNPP will certainly take over.
“There is nothing on the ground to show that PDP can wrestle power from APC come 2023. I foresee NNPP springing surprises come 2023.
“PDP has now become a limited liability company whereby Governor Wike has emerged as Managing Director of the PLC. This is sad, party-turned-company.
“Atiku’s intervention is too late in the day. Those visualizing PDP to take over from APC come 2023 should be seen as daydreamers.
“They are very far from reality. Nigerians must switch over to New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP. We are very confident that it is the best alternative to take over power from APC come 2023.”
