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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The post-convention crisis rocking the opposite Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) assumed a new dimension on Wednesday as the national chairman, Sen Iyorchia Ayu, and most governors elected on the party’s platform were conspicuously absent at the inauguration of the Osun State governorship national campaign council.
The party had named a 128-member national campaign council, which include 12 governors.
But at the inauguration of the campaign council on Wednesday, 11 of the PDP governors were absent, including the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who is the as chairman of the campaign council
The two governors present were Ifeanyi Okowa and Dairus Ishaku of Delta and Taraba States. Okowa is not a member of the campaign council, but Okowa apparently attended as the vice presidential candidate.
However, a statement by Ayu’s Special Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Simon Imobo-Tswam, said thr national chairman was on a two-week leave.
Crisis had hit the PDP following the choice of Okowa as running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Most of the governors were reportedly not happy with the decision because his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, was allegedly recommended to Atiku by the committee set up by the party to shortlist a running mate for him.
Earlier on Wednesday, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, had said on a national television programme that he was among the 17-member committee set up by Atiku “and 14 of us in the committee said the person should be Wike.”
“Unfortunately, Atiku picked Okowa, that is his wisdom .
“You cannot ignore the decision of a committee you set up by yourself and expect people to be happy. For now, I have gone into hibernation,” Ortom said.