Why We Won’t Sanction Wike, Others – Ayu

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, has ruled out the possibility of sanctioning the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, over his outbursts against the party’s leadership and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Ayu noted that rather than discipline anyone, the party would focus on uniting its members. He, therefore, appealed to those angry with Wike to sheathe their sword.

The party had been engulfed in internal dispute with many members taking sides with either Atiku or Wike. This was part of the fallout of the party’s presidential primary, which Wike lost to Atiku.

The reported bad blood between Atiku and Wike came to a head when Wike told journalists about a week ago that Atiku told many lies during his interview with Arise TV. He then promised to respond to the lies and speak more about both the party and Atiku.

Meanwhile, speaking at a meeting of the National Working Committee with former National Publicity Secretaries, Zonal/ States Publicity Secretaries, and other stakeholders at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, Ayu stated that all efforts and resources would rather be channeled towards peace and unity instead of punishing people. Those present at the event included Olisa Metuh.

He was responding to calls by some former national officers who called for the governor to be sanctioned. They argued that refusal to do this would breed indiscipline in the party.