LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Monday, held its Presidential rally in Lagos State.
Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate and his running mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa alongside PDP chieftains and supporters were present at Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Onikan, venue of the event.
The rally was aimed at canvassing votes from electorates in Lagos.
Atiku, a former Vice President between 1999 and 2007 is one of the leading candidates eyeing Aso Villa in 2023 presidential election.
The rally, however, recorded the absence of some of its top party chieftains at the venue.
Influential PDP chieftains like Bode George, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, and other members of the G-5.
The absence of Bode George and the G-5 Governors indicates that the PDP is still in a deep crisis.
Atiku has been at loggerheads with the G-5 governors following their agitation for the flagbearer to remove Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as the party’s chairman.
Governor Wike and his crew had earlier stated that the leadership setting of the party lacks inclusivity, noting that the party’s presidential flagbearer and chairmanship position cannot be zoned to the same region.
This plea from the G-5 governors has caused serious controversies in the party since the conclusion of the party’s primary election in May. Several consultative meetings and reconciliation attempts have been held in this regard, yet there still needs to be a solution for the lingering crisis within the party’s ranks.
Below are images from the rally: