There is disagreement between Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar on the future of Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s national chairman.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, Atiku wants the former Senate President to stay in office till the general elections in 2023, despite the Rivers governor’s desire for him to leave.
Ayu’s removal is being pushed for by Wike’s allies in order for the PDP to choose a new chairperson from the south of the nation.
2023: Stakeholders Mount Pressure On PDP Chairman, Ayu To Resign
They recalled that the leaders had decided, when Ayu was chosen as chairman, that the former Senate President from Benue State would step down if a candidate from the north ran for president.
Iyorchia Ayu’s resignation, according to Wike’s camp, will correct the PDP hierarchy’s imbalance.
Atiku, Walid Jubrin, the head of the PDP Board of Trustees, and Umar Damagun, the deputy national chairman (North) who would succeed Ayu, are all from the Northern area.
According to a source who spoke to Premium Times, Wike told Atiku that Senator Iyorchia Ayu needed to resign during a visit following the PDP presidential primaries.
The source said: “During the visit, Wike and Atiku held a private meeting, and it was Atiku who brought up the issue of his running mate.
We Won’t Tolerate 2019 Ordeal In 2023 – PDP Chairman, Ayu
“He told Wike that he had not made up his mind on the issue, and he asked Wike whether he would take it or nominate a person to take the slot. Wike told Atiku that he would need to consult with his people on the offer.
“Then Wike reminded Atiku of the agreement that Ayu would resign if a northerner won the primary. Atiku said he would discuss it with Ayu but that both of them should keep the issue between them until he had persuaded the chairman to resign.
“Unfortunately, we later heard that Atiku told Ayu that Wike was demanding that he should be removed. When we heard that, we were surprised because by then, Wike had not even told us that he had discussed the issue with Atiku.
“They are now arguing that Ayu should be allowed to stay on until after the election. They are playing games so that if Atiku loses, they will say it is unnecessary for Ayu to leave. That way, the South will continue to be marginalized in the party.”
Adeyanju Accuses ‘PDP Chairman, Ayu Of Working For APC’, Nigerians React
Another source revealed that Wike was unhappy with Ayu after he visited Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, where he described the governor as the hero of the convention.
“Wike was angry with the chairman and said his statement to Tambuwal exposed his connivance in the conspiracy that denied him (Wike) and the southern region the PDP ticket. It was out of that anger that he demanded Ayu’s removal when Atiku visited him,” the source said.
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.