In order to give the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a chance in the South-west, Olabode George, a former deputy national chairman of the PDP, has demanded the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu, the opposition party’s national chairman.
The PDP chieftain claimed in an interview with Arise TV on Friday that if the north holds all of the PDP’s key posts, it would be impossible to campaign against Bola Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate, in the area.
The elder statesman claimed that Ayu had pledged to step down as national chairman should a northerner be chosen as the PDP’s presidential candidate.
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He said: “But how do I go on the campaign trip in the South-West and tell the people that look, we are ready and you must vote for our candidate? We must realise that the opposition party has its own presidential candidate from the South-West and he (Tinubu) will tell them (voters) I have the presidential ticket, what does the PDP have on its ticket for South-West?
“Let’s assume the south has the presidential ticket, vice presidential ticket and chairmanship position, how will our PDP brothers from the north take it? Will they be happy? All I am saying is to ensure justice and fairness and if they say they don’t want it, history will be on the side of the truth.
“And if at this age I can’t tell the truth, then what am I doing in politics? It is not a matter of forcing Ayu out. Remember, Ayu himself stated and I quote him: “If the presidential candidate emerges from the north, he will resign as the chairman of the party to allow the balancing”. We are simply just saying “let us be mindful and don’t let us overdrive this.”
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George went on to say that the resignation of the PDP’s national chairman will aid the party in persuading Nigerians that it is a superior choice to the APC.
The PDP chairman had committed to retire, he claimed, thus calls for Ayu’s resignation were in accordance with the constitution.
Zoning is now more crucial than it was in 1998/1999, George emphasized, adding that he knew what was best for the party.
He said, “In fact, the need to have zoning now is more important than in 1998/1999. Maybe some of these people don’t understand the concept that led to the thought processes of our founding fathers. Because it is an unwritten law it is up for debate and I hope we have the opportunity to put it down in writing and everybody will be able to read it.
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“Those saying they don’t believe in it (zoning) and don’t want it are saying that because they don’t understand what brought about it but I am talking because I was part of the system from the very beginning and we have a saying from my part of the world that when you have old people in any association, they (old people) always make sure they correct the mistakes of the young ones and I am trying to refer us to that concept (zoning) that was established and brought about sanity to the nation.
“Now that we are trying to manoeuvre the concept that came from us to suit certain purposes and personal ambitions, it is going to drive us to the canvass and that is what I am saying.”
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