The ongoing PDP crisis has intensified as the party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Nyesom Wike find themselves at odds with the G-5 integrity group regarding the Senate minority leadership position in the 10th National Assembly.
The situation has created tension among opposition senators, with conflicting preferences for the role.
According to The PUNCH, Atiku and the PDP have thrown their weight behind Aminu Tambuwal, the former governor of Sokoto State, for the minority leadership seat. However, members of the G-5 are pushing for Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe from Cross River North to assume the position. The disagreement over the Senate minority leadership appears to be driven by vested interests seeking to impose their preferred candidate.
Speaking anonymously, lawmakers revealed that Atiku is backing Tambuwal for the minority leader role, while the ruling APC is considering supporting Wike due to his efforts to secure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's emergence in Rivers State. Interestingly, Atiku and the G-5 have had a longstanding feud since Atiku became the PDP's presidential candidate, and Wike, as governor, led his counterparts against Atiku's bid for the presidency.
Furthermore, a recent meeting between Tinubu and Wike at Aso Rock has added to the political reaction surrounding this issue.
It is worth noting that Tambuwal is Atiku's preferred choice, while Wike seeks to retaliate against Tambuwal over their rivalry during the presidential primary elections. However, the party is determined not to repeat the same divisions witnessed during the national elections and subsequent National Assembly proceedings.
The leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives is cautiously handling the matter, considering the delicate balance and dynamics involved. With the PDP holding 36 seats in the upper chamber, they are expected to secure two out of the four minority positions, including the Senate minority leader, deputy minority leader, minority whip, and deputy whip.
In a separate development, concerns arose within Atiku's camp when Wike recently paid a visit to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Their prolonged meeting raised eyebrows and added to the tension within the PDP's minority camp.
Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio has made his initial appointments, naming Chief Barrister Sylvester Okonkwo as his Chief of Staff and Dr. Saviour Enyiekere as Deputy Chief of Staff.
The media office of the Senate President confirmed these appointments, revealing that Chief Barrister Okonkwo hails from Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
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