The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar says the demand for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu is realisable.
He however told stakeholders of the party at its South West meeting in Ibadan on Wednesday that due process should be followed, according to the party’s constitution.
Atiku was responding to the demand of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde earlier at the session that Ayu must resign for peace to reign to enable members in the South to feel a sense of belonging.
Makinde has been in league with his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike and like minds to champion Ayu’s exit as party chairman given that, like the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, he is also from the North.
Two weeks ago, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George insisted that must vacate his seat before the commencement of campaign for the 2023 elections.
The campaign officially commences on 28 September – 14 days away – with the presidential and National Assembly polls kicking off the series.
To pacify the Wike group, Senator Walid Jubril, also from the North, resigned as Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees and was replaced in acting capacity by a former Senate President, Dr Adolphus Wabara, who is the South.
Makinde said: “The message from the South West PDP is, the South West is asking that the National Working Committee of the PDP should be restructured.
“We are asking the National Chairman to step down so that the South will be fully included. That is the message”.
Responding to the call, Atiku said: “I have no problem about anywhere any party member comes from but it must be done in accordance with the party’s constitution or regulations and practices.
“What Governor Seyi Makinde is calling for is achievable under the party’s constitution under the party rules and regulations and procedures.
“This constitution must guide whatever changes we make, so that is why we cannot do anything outside that constitution unless it is amended.
“We do not say people should not have different views but all views must go through the party’s constitution, rules regulations and our practices”.
Ayu’s fate is being decided as the party’s chairman is out to of the country for Europe for an undisclosed purpose.
