Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, and Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s national chairman, have been charged with attempting to make the PDP a northern party.
Recall that Ayu’s camp demanded his resignation after Atiku emerged as the party’s nominee for president, standing for fairness and equity. Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State.
However, according to Anaedoonline.ng, Ayu claimed that he wouldn’t step down as the party’s chairman during an interview with BBC Hausa, saying that he was chosen to hold the position for a four-year term.
PDP Crisis: Party Chieftain Reacts As Ayu Vows Not To Resign
A member of the Board of Trustees, speaking to Newsmen, stated that the party’s national chairman must step down for peace to prevail, adding that the south-west is behind Wike.
The PDP leader, who spoke in confidence, said: “Wike knows what he is doing.
“These people (Atiku’s camp) know what they are doing, they have insulted us. Some of us are the ones holding the party together and preventing it from disintegration. For peace to reign, the zoning committee met and resolved that the contest should be thrown open then for all aspirants to contest.
“Now, the North has the presidential candidate, they have Board of Trustees, PDP Governors’ Forum and National Chairman, but the South has nothing. What we want is for Ayu to resign so that the South can produce the chairman and then have a sense of belonging.
PDP Crisis: Panic As Wike Wants Ayu Sacked, Atiku Backs Party Chair To Remain
“Atiku and Ayu are refusing that which shows that these people are the same; they are turning the PDP into a northern party. If we fail to do the needful, this will be the beginning of that break-up. Some of us will go home with dignity, and we will not succumb to what they are doing.
“They say people are defecting in Katsina and Kano states to the PDP; it is because they have the candidate to show for it. What do we have in the South-West? Ayu is insisting that he won’t resign until after the election, but we have alternatives. Ayu’s continued stay will kill the PDP, and I don’t know where his loyalty is.”
The PDP leader stated that the removal of Ayu would lead to peace and ensure there is a sense of belonging within the party.
He said: “What can lead to peace is for Ayu to resign and tell the South-West to bring a candidate for the chairmanship. All Ayu is saying he won’t resign but Atiku knows the truth and he must do what is right.
PDP Crisis: Arrogance, Ingratitude Won’t Take You Anywhere – Wike Blasts Ayu
“We must give our people a sense of belonging. Most of us in the South-West are behind Wike because what he is saying is in our interest. What we are asking for is to convince our people in South West that they are part of the leadership of the party.”
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.