The crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party deepened on Wednesday as it’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu vehemently pushed back calls for him to resign as demanded by the Governor Nyesom Wike’s camp as a condition precedent for peace to reign in the PDP.
There had been concerted efforts to placate the aggrieved Rivers governor since he lost the party’s presidential ticket to Atiku Abubakar from Adamawa State.
Wike’s camp had demanded Ayu’s resignation, saying (officially) that both the chairman and the presidential candidate, Atiku should not come from the same region of the country. Ayu is from Benue, considered to be part of Northern Nigeria. Though it is believed that Wike is angry with the party chairman over allegations that he worked for the emergence of Atiku in the presidential primary.
Speaking however on BBC Hausa, Ayu categorically said that he will not resign because some people are not comfortable with having him around, as he was elected on the basis of PDP laws.
He stressed that he will not succumb to calls from some quarters for him to resign his position, noting that such are coming from political amateurs who lack basic understanding of PDP principles.
According to the former senator, he was elected by Nigerians and members of the opposition party to that exalted position based on the party’s guidelines.
Ayu said, “I was voted as PDP national chairman to serve for four years, I am not even a year old on the position,” the former senator said.
“Atiku’s victory at the national primaries has no nothing to do with the party’s leadership; I was the bonafide winner of the election. We acted within the dictates of PDP constitution.
“I have not violated any rules; in fact, I am working to bring reforms to the party. I am truly not bothered by the unnecessary controversy being generated.”
The Wike camp had not responded to this as at the time of filing this report.
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY 