From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

There are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu and the five aggrieved governors popularly known as the G-5 may clash in Makurdi, Benue State, as Governor Samuel Ortom launches the party’s 2023 campaign today.

Daily Sun gathered, yesterday, that the G-5 governors, which include  Nyesom Wike, Rivers; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Seyi Makinde, Oyo and Ortom, would want to use the Benue campaign launch to make a strong statement in the stand-off with Ayu and PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

However, while multiple sources confirmed that the five aggrieved would be at the flag-off, it could not be confirmed, as the time of filing this report, if a formal invitation was extended to the national chairman, who hails from Benue, or if he would be attend the event.

A top source in the state told Daily Sun that the campaign council being launched is different from the PDP state presidential council.  He explained that it is purely the show of the G-5 governors.

The party leader added that in the event that Ayu was invited and he decides to honour the invitation, there may be a clash between him and the governors, who have been pushing for his removal.

A source close to Governor Ortom told  Daily Sun that it was for the state chapter of the PDP to invite Ayu to the function.

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“I  am sure that the party must have invited him. He is the national chairman. If he comes, his presence will be well acknowledged.”

Nevertheless, efforts to confirm from the national chairman’s office if he would participate was unsuccessful, as media aide, Simon Imobo-Tswam, neither respond to repeated calls nor WhatsApp message to his mobile number.

The G-5 governors has been on warpath with the PDP chairman and Atiku in the  aftermath of the nomination of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as vice presidential candidate.

The governors have continued to  insist on Ayu’s replacement with a southerner as a condition for reconcilation in the party.  They are supported by  Donald Duke, Jonah Jang, Ibrahim Dakwanmbo, Segun Mimiko,Ayo Fayose,  former governors of Cross River, Plateau, Gombe, Ondo and Ekiti states respectively, as well as Chief Olabode George, Professor Jerry Gana, Mohammed Adoke amongst others.

However, the national chairman has ruled out the possibility of his resignation, noting that he was elected for a tenure of four years. On his part, Atiku said he cannot force the national chairman to resign his position.

Recently, the Wike the group pulled out of the PDP presidential campaign council, pending the replacement of Ayu with a southerner as national chairman.